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Brignol  and  His  Daughter 


ALFRED  CAPUS 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  28-30  West  38th  St.,  New  Y 


Brignol  and  His  Daugh- 
ter:  a  Comedy  in  Three 
Acts:  by/ Alfred  Capus: 
Translated  by  Barrett  H. 
Clark 


60c- 


Samuel  French :  Publisher 

28-30  West  Thirty-eighth  St. :  New  York 

LONDON 

Samuel  French,  Ltd. 

26  Southampton  Street,  Strand 


Copyright,    1915. 
By    SAMUEL    FRENCH 


ALFRED  CAPUS 

Alfred  Capus — born  at  Aix,  Provence,  in  1858 — 
is  one  of  the  most  popular  and  prolific  writers  of 
modern  French  comedy.  Although  he  has  for 
many  years  been  active  in  the  field  of  journalism, 
and  is  now  joint-editor  of  the  Figaro,  his  plays  are 
seen  regularly  on  the  French  stage  and  are  ac- 
counted among  the  most  brilliant  and  successful  of 
contemporary  works. 

French  critics  claim  Capus  as  a  realist.  He  is  not 
a  realist  in  the  same  sense  of  the  word  as  Brieux  or 
Curel,  for  his  outlook  on  life  is  essentially  gay  and 
optimistic.  Optimism,  together  with  a  generous  in- 
fusion of  rather  superficial  cynicism,  is  the  key- 
note to  his  best  work.  One  of  his  finest  comedies, 
Luck  {La  Veine)  shows  how  people,  merely  as  a 
result  of  waiting  for  the  right  moment,  may  be 
happy  and  successful  with  comparatively  small 
effort. 

Brignol  et  sa  fille,  the  present  translation  of  which 
for  the  first  time  affords  to  English  readers  a 
glimpse  of  the  comic  side  of  this  dramatist,  was 
originally  produced  in  1895.  It  was  one  of  the  most 
popular  plays  of  the  time. 

In  1914  Capus  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
French  Academy. 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 


PERSONS  IN  THE  PLAY 


Commandant  Brunet 
Brignol 
Valpierre 
Carriard 
Maurice  Vernot 
The  Concierge 
Madame  Brignol 
Cecile  Brignol 
Madame  Valpierre 
The  Maid 


Scene  :    Paris. 
Time:  the  present. 


Brignol  and  His  Daughter 


ACT  I 


Scene:  An  office,  fitted  up  with  various  articles 
of  parlor  furniture — rather  pretentious  in  ap- 
pearance. To  the  right,  a  table  with  letter-files 
and  a  safe;  beside  it,  a  bookshelf.  At  the  back 
is  the  main  entrance;  there  are  doors  right  and 
left,  one  opening  upon  a  bedroom,  the  other 
upon  the  parlor. 

(As  the  curtain  rises,  Brignol  is  sitting  at  his  desk.) 

(The  Concierge  enters.) 

Concierge.  I've  just  seen  the  landlord,  Mon- 
sieur, He  refuses  to  wait  another  minute.  I  ought 
to  add  that  he  is  very  angry  with  you. 

Brignol.    That  will  all  be  arranged. 

Concierge.  This  is  the  first  time  a  tenant  has 
been  three  terms  behind. 

Brignol.    It's  nothing  serious. 

Concierge.  Monsieur  will  allow  me  to  state  that 
within  a  few  days 

Brignol.    What  ? 

Concierge.  The  bailiff!  You  have  already  re- 
ceived the  first  notification,  which  means 

Brignol.  Don't  you  think  I  know  all  about  it? 
I  know  more  than  the  landlords :    I'm  a  lawyer. 

Concierge.  I'm  going.  (Enter  Madame  Brig- 
5 


6         BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

nol)     Then  you  haven't  anything  special  you  want 
me  to  tell  the  landlord,  have  you? 

Brignol.     Say  I'll  pay  him  to-morrow. 

Concierge.  To-morrow,  surely?  So  far,  your 
furniture  hasn't  been  seized,  but 

Brignol.    And  rest  assured,  it  won't  be. 

Concierge.  Monsieur,  your  humble  servant.- 
Madame ! 

{He  goes  out,  back.) 

Mme.  Brignol.  Have  you  seen  the  people  you 
are  going  to  see? 

Brignol.  Don't  fear.  I  have  two  or  three  af- 
fairs in  hand  now  that  are  bound  to  succeed. 

Mme.  Brignol.  Remember  how  last  term  you 
were  counting  on  two  or  three  affairs,  and  we  were 
unable  to  pay  then ! 

Brignol.  That  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  case. 
Don't  worry.    We  have  the  money — practically. 

Mme.  Brignol.  (After  a  pause)  They've  just 
-arrived. 

Brignol.     (Absently)     Who? 

Mme.  Brignol.  My  brother  and  his  wife. 
They'll  come  in  to  kiss  you  in  a  minute.  Now  there 
is  to  be  no  quarreling  between  you,  remember  we've 
agreed  to  let  bygones  be  bygones.  Cecile  and  I  are 
tired  of  this  family  squabbling — it's  been  going  on 
for  years. 

Brignol.  Is  it  my  fault?  It  was  Valpierre  who 
broke  with  us,  I  have  no  idea  what  about. 

Mme.  Brignol.    Oh! 

Brignol.  Oh,  yes,  now  I  remember :  a  miserable 
few  hundred  francs  he  lent  me,  and  which  I 
didn't  exactly  return. 

Mme.  Brignol.    That  is,  didn't  return  at  all. 

Brignol.  Relatives  oughtn't  to  quarrel  about 
things  of  that  sort.    If  he  had  borrowed  money  of 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER         7 

me  and  failed  to  return  it,  I  shouldn't  have  quar- 
reled with  him.  I'm  sure  it's  because  his  wife 
doesn't  like  us. 

Mme,  Brignol.  And  because  of  your  behavior 
toward  them! 

Brignol.    I  shan't  hold  it  against  them. 

(Enter  M.  and  Mme.  Valpierre.) 

Brignol.  How  are  you,  my  dear  Valpierre? 
Ah,  my  dear !  How  good  of  you  to  come  1  I'm  so 
glad  to  see  you ! 

Valpieree.  (Embarrassed)  My  dear  Brig- 
nol  ' 

Brignol.  You  don't  look  a  day  older.  What  a 
life  you  lead  in  the  provinces !  How  peaceful !  No 
news  from  Poitiers,  eh? 

Mme.  Valpierre.    Nothing  much. 

Brignol.  (Going  to  Valpierre)  I  confess  I 
was  in  the  wrong!  There,  are  you  satisjfied? 
We'll  settle  the  account  in  the  near  future,  I  prom- 
ise. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  You  were  not  only  in  the 
wrong,  you  were  altogether  wrong. 

Brignol.    Altogether — I  admit  it. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  And  we  weren't  in  the  least 
wrong.    That  must  be  clear. 

Brignol.  It  is,  without  the  shadow  of  a  doubt. 
And  now,  let  us  forget  the  past.  Families  shouldn't 
quarrel!  It's  possible  to  stop  seeing  one  another, 
but  to  break  off — !    You'll  dine  with  us,  won't  you  ? 

Mme.  Brignol.    Oh,  yes,  you  must. 

Brignol.  (To  Mme.  Valpierre)  You  have  no 
idea  how  sorry  I  was  not  to  see  any  more  of  you, 
and  how  deeply  I  regretted  our  misunderstanding. 
(He  shakes  hands  with  her) 

Mme.  Valpierre.     It  would  never  have  hap- 


8         BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

pened  if  you  had  left  Poitiers  under  the  proper 
conditions. 

Brignol.  I  left  Poitiers  under  very  normal  con- 
ditions. It  happens  every  day  that  people  leave  the 
provinces  to  come  to  live  in  Paris. 

Valpierre.  You  did  not  leave  Poitiers  under 
normal  conditions,  allow  me  to  suggest.  You  left 
it  head  over  heels  in  debt,  with  fifty  creditors  after 
you. 

Mme.  Valpierre.    Who  came  even  to  us ! 

Brignol.  You  should  have  sent  them  to  Paris: 
I  left  an  address. 

Valpierre.  If  it  had  not  been  for  my  connec- 
tions and  my  influence,  your  name  would  have  been 
struck  from  the  official  list  of  lawyers — you,  the 
brother-in-law  of  a  magistrate !  It  would  have  been 
a  terrible  dishonor ! 

Mme.  Brignol.    Now,  now ! 

Valpierre.  You  resigned,  and  I  must  say  it 
was  about  time. 

Brignol.  (Rising)  I  never  wanted  to  practice: 
-my  legal  career  is  over. 

Valpierre.  And  the  disgraceful  scenes  you  had 
with  your  creditors,  even  in  the  streets !  It  is  pos- 
sible that  such  things  are  of  no  importance  at  Paris, 
but  at  Poitiers,  they  are  disgraceful — do  you  hear  ? 

Mme.  Valpierre.  They  reflect  on  the  whole 
family. 

Brignol.  (To  Valpierre)  That's  an  exagger- 
ation. (To  Mme.  Valpierre)  Adolphe,  dear,  has 
always  exaggerated;  that  has  invariably  been  the 
source  of  our  arguments. 

Valpierre.     (Rising)     I  never  exaggerate. 

Mme.  Brignol.  We  have  agreed  to  forget 
everything,  haven't  we? 

Valpierre.  I  ask  nothing  better.  It's  precisely 
what  I  am  going  to  do.  I  simply  wanted  to  remind 
your  husband  that  if  we  have  not  been  on  speaking 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER         9 

terms  for  so  long,  there  were  good  reasons.  I  am 
not  the  sort  of  high-strung  and  sensitive  person  to  be 
offended  by  a  chance  word.  Brignol  must  certainly 
have  overstepped  the  limits  a  long  way  to  force  us 
to  resort  to  extreme  measures. 

Brignol.    Good ! 

Valpierre.  When,  a  few  months  after  your 
marriage,  you  risked  your  wife's  dowry  in  a  ridicu- 
lous speculation,  and  lost  every  sou  of  it,  I  did 
everything  in  my  power  to  get  you  out  of  trouble. 

Brignol.    True,  every  word ! 

Valpierre.  Bear  in  mind  also  that  I  did  not 
oppose  your  marriage  with  my  sister,  a  marriage 
which  was  perfectly  absurd,  as  you  had  no  income. 
You  have  nothing  therefore  to  reproach  yourself 
with. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  H  you  had  only  followed  my 
advice  about  your  daughter's  education — !  It  was 
very  wrong  of  you  not  to  have  Cecile  take  a  teacher's 
degree,  as  I  was  telling  your  wife.  It's  something 
for  girls  with  incomes  to  fall  back  on.  But  no, 
her  education  has  been  haphazard.  Cecile  is  nearly 
twenty,  and  she  can't  even  teach! 

{Enter  Cecile  at  the  back,  laughing.) 

Cecile.    I  heard  everything,  Aunt. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  There  is  nothing  to  laugh 
about. 

Cecile.  Now,  really,  I  can  read  and  write  and 
add.  Anyway,  some  day  we'll  be  rich:  Papa's 
promised  we  shall,  a  hundred  times ! 

Brignol.    And  I  promise  once  again. 

Cecile.    I'm  counting  on  it  absolutely. 

Brignol.    That's  the  way  to  look  at  things ! 

Valpierre.  Meantime,  creditors  throng  about 
your  front-door.  That  must  be  pleasant  for  the 
ladies  ? 


10       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Cecile.  It's  not  unpleasant,  at  any  rate.  I  do 
wonders  with  Papa's  creditors.  When  I  hear  them 
making  a  scene,  I  quietly  open  the  office  door,  as  if 
I  wanted  to  ask  him  something.  The  tempest  sub- 
sides. 

Brignol.     (Laughing)    It  always  works. 

Valpierre.  I  can  well  believe  it. — Now,  leave 
us,  child.  (To  Brignol)  With  your  permission, 
we  are  going  to  have  a  serious  talk. 

Mme.  Brignol.    Please  don't  be  too  hard  on  him. 

Valpierre.    Hard?    I'm  not. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  We  simply  want  to  propose  a 
plan. 

Cecile.  (To  Mme.  Brignol)  A  nice  little  lec- 
ture for  Papa.  Come,  we're  in  the  way.  (She  goes 
out,  left,  zvith  her  mother) 

Valpierre.  Come  now,  what  do  you  intend  to 
do? 

Brignol.    This  evening? 

Valpierre.  No  :  generally  speaking.  What  are 
you  going  to  do  toward  getting  yourself  and  family 
out  of  this  regrettable  situation? 

Brignol.    What  situation? 

Valpierre.    Yours. 

Brignol.  But  my  situation  is  not  in  the  least 
regrettable :  it  is  splendid.  We  happen  to  be  a  little 
hard-pressed  for  the  time  being,  I  must  admit,  but 
who  isn't — from  time  to  time? 

Valpierre.  You  owe  money  to  the  landlord, 
my  sister  tells  me.  You  may  have  your  furniture 
seized  any  day;  you  have  any  number  of  credi- 
tors  

Brignol.  It's  troublesome,  of  course,  but  not 
serious.  In  Paris  there  are  a  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  people  who  are  exactly  in  the  same  situ- 
ation.   In  the  provinces,  too. 

Mme.  Valpierre.    Oh,  oh! 

Brignol.    Are  there  no  debtors  in  the  provinces  ? 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER        ii 

Mme.  Valpierre.  No — the  moment  a  man  is  in 
debt,  he  is  obliged  to  go  to  Paris. 

Valpierre.  Now  listen  to  me,  Brignol:  (Tak- 
ing Brignol's  hand)  I  am  ready  to  help  you.  I 
have  done  so  already  and  I  shall  willingly  do  so 
again,  if  you  will  turn  over  a  new  leaf — seriously. 

Brignol.    How  do  you  mean? 

Valpierre.  You  must  work,  accept  a  position  in 
an  office — anywhere.  I'll  take  care  of  your  credi- 
tors ;  we'll  arrange  that  in  time. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  There's  the  proposal  my 
husband  wanted  to  make  to  you.  I  think  it  very 
reasonable. 

Brignol.  In  an  office,  at  my  age!  You're  not 
serious?  My  talents  can  be  exercised  only  in  large 
and  important  transactions,  where  my  experience 
can  be  utilized. 

Valpierre.  At  your  age?  Well,  well!  (Look- 
ing at  Brignol)  You  might  pass  for  forty!  You 
look  fifteen  years  younger  than  I,  and  yet  we're  the 
same  age.    Are  you  ever  sick? 

Brignol.    Never. 

Valpierre.     Have  you  rheumatism? 

Brignol.    Not  a  trace. 

Valpierre.  I  have — in  every  bone  of  my  body. 
I've  grown  old,  you  look  like  a  young  man.  That's 
what  you  get  for  living  as  you  do !  It's  discourag- 
ing! Then  you  intend  to  go  on  doing  nothing  at 
all?    Please  yourself. 

Brignol.  You're  mistaken:  I  have  fifty  irons 
in  the  fire.  If  one  turns  out  successfully,  we're 
saved,  rich.  Meantime,  I  have  my  clients — do  you 
know  Carriard? 

Valpierre.    Who  is  the  gentleman? 

Brignol.  A  man  who  was  the  occasion  of  my 
making  five  hundred  francs  last  month.  You're 
going  to  meet  him  to-night  at  dinner.  I'll  probably 
get  a  superb  position  in  his  factory,  or  something 


12       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

in  that  new  railway  system  he's  going  to  build — 
not  to  mention  the  newspaper  he's  going  to  found, 
and  which  I  shall  manage. 

Valpierre.     Is  he  all  your  clients? 

Brignol.  Did  you  ever  hear  of  Commandant 
Brunet  ? 

Valpierre.  Commandant  Brunet  of  Poitiers  ?  I 
know  him  intimately. 

Brignol.  (Embarrassed)  Ah,  you  know  him — 
Well,  you  see,  my  situation  is  not  so  bad. 

Valpierre.  Is  the  Commandant  one  of  your 
clients  ? 

Brignol.    Oh,  yes. 

Valpierre.     IBut  he's  ruined lost  every  sou 

gambling. 

Brignol.  I  beg  your  pardon:  the  Commandant 
is  not  ruined.    In  short,  my  dear  fellow 

Valpierre.  Yes,T  seem  to  remember  the  story. 
He  came  into  a  little  fortune  two  years  ago,  didn't 
he? 

Brignol.     Yes. 

Valpierre.    He  won  a  case  in  Poitiers  ? 

Brignol.    Yes. 

Valpierre.  Didn't  he  lose  that  money  at  bac- 
cara? 

Brignol.    He  doesn't  gamble  any  longer. 

Valpierre.    Do  you  see  him  often? 

Brignol.    Quite  often. 

Valpierre.  He's  a  decent  enough  fellow;  I'd 
like  to  see  him  again. 

Brignol.    Indeed  ? 

Valpierre.    Where  does  he  live  ? 

Brignol.  (Preoccupied)  The  Commandant? 
Hm!  I  have  his  address  in  one  of  these  drawers. 
I'll  give  it  to  you. 

Valpierre.  (After  a  pause)  I  wonder  what 
sort  of  dealings  you  can  have  with  the  Com- 
mandant ? 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       13 

Brignol.  When  I  spoke  of  him,  I  merely 
wanted  to  mention  another  of  my  clients :  I  have 
others,  too.  It's  not  so  much  resources  that  I  lack. 
You  think  everything  is  lost  because  I'm  three  terms 
behind  with  the  rent,  and  have  a  few  other  un- 
settled accounts.  But  it's  most  exceptional  in  Paris 
when  a  man  is  not  one  or  two  terms  in  arrears. 
It's  of  no  consequence. 

Valpierre.  Where  can  you  get  the  necessary 
money  ? 

Brignol.  I  don't  know,  but  I'll  find  it.  The 
important  point  is  to  have  the  money;  I  must  and 
zviJl  have  it.  Why,  twenty  times  I've  been  in  the 
same  position,  and  at  the  last  moment  I've  always 
come  out  on  top. 

Valpierre.  Do  you  know  what  I  think  ?  A  day 
will  come  when  you  can't  find  the  money,  and  then 
you  will  be  definitely  compromised.  (Brignol 
shrugs  his  shoulders)  It's  almost  happened  two  or 
three  times  already. 

Brignol.    With  me? 

Mme.  Valpierre.  How  about  that  diamond  busi- 
ness at  Tours  ? 

Brignol.    There  was  nothing  to  that. 

Mme,  Valpierre.     And  the  champagne  affair? 

Brignol.  Trifles.  No  one  remembers  anything 
about  it.  It  all  comes  out  right  in  the  end — every- 
thing always  does. 

Valpierre.  You'll  see  where  these  ideas  lead 
you! 

Brignol.  Do  you  think  me  an  ambitious  man 
who  wants  to  make  millions,  like  a  great  financier? 
Now,  what  do  I  ask?  I  want  only  a  hundred  thou- 
sand francs  for  Cecile's  dowry,  and  to  be  able  to  re- 
tire to  the  country  with  ten  thousand  francs'  in- 
come. 

Valpierre.     (Jokingly)     Very  modest! 


14       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Brignol.  I  can  make  that  money  here  in  Paris, 
but  I  can't  at  Poitiers. 

VALriERRE.  {By  the  desk)  But,  my  dear  man, 
I  haven't  that  much  money  myself,  I  who  have  been 
a  magistrate  for  thirty  years !  Now,  do  you  mean 
to  say  you  can  make  it  at  a  single  stroke  ? 

Brignol.  I  do.  Do  you  remember  one  day  when 
I  asked  you  to  lend  me  twenty  thousand  francs,  and 
you  refused? 

Valpierre.    I  do! 

Brignol.  My  dear  fellow,  if  you  had  let  me 
have  that  money,  I  sliould  not  only  have  paid  you 
back  with  interest,  in  a  year's  time,  but  I  should 
at  this  moment  have  been  richer  than  you. 

Valpierre.    Really,  now ! 

Brignol.    It  was  bound  to  succeed. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  And  you  think  it  kind  and 
natural  to  make  more  money  than  Adolphe,  who 
has  worked  so  hard  for  thirty  long  years?  I'm 
very  glad  he  didn't  lend  you  the  money! 

{Voices  heard  outside.) 

Brignol.    What's  that?/  {He  listens  at  the  door) 

Cecile.     {Outside)     I  tell  you,  he  isn't  at  home! 

Valpierre.    Wliat ! 

Brignol.    Sh ! — Ah,  he's  gone ! 

Valpierre.     Another  creditor  ?     Scandalous ! 

{Enter  Cecile.) 


Brignol. 

Cecile. 
your  club. 
Brignol. 
Cecile. 
Brignol. 
Cecile. 


He  belongs  to 


Who  was  it? 
A  Monsieur  Vignon, 

What  did  he  want? 
{Smiling)     Well 

He's  gone  now,  isn't  he? 
Not  exactly :  he's  on  the  sidewalk,  wait- 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER        15 

ing  for  you.    He's  watching  till  you  come  back 

Brignol.     On  the  sidewalk?    What  impudence! 

Mme,  Valpierre.    This  is  charming! 

Brignol.  I'm  going  to  talk  to  him ;  he's  getting  a 
little  troublesome.     {He  goes  out) 

JMme.  Valpierre.  {To  Cecile,  ivho  is  laugh- 
ing)   You  think  it's  funny? 

Cecile.     {Stops  laughing)    Very! 

Mme.  Valpierre.    And  this  happens  every  day? 

Cecile.    Nearly  every  day. 

Valpierre.  {Losing  his  temper)  And  your 
mother  is  willing  to  put  up  with  it  all? 

Cecile.    What  ought  she  to  do? 

Valpierre.  Don't  you  mind?  Aren't  you  tired 
of  it? 

Cecile,    We  are  used  to  it. 

Valpierre.  Don't  you  dread  having  to  face  this 
all  your  life? 

Cecile.    Papa  says  it  won't  last  much  longer. 

Mme.  Valpierre.    It  will  never  end !    It  can't ! 

Cecile.  Well,  if  it  can't,  then  it's  high  time  I  got 
used  to  it. 

Mme.  Valpierre.  It's  outrageous,  the  whole 
thing ! 

Cecile.  But,  my  dear  Aunt,  you  know  I'd  rather 
have  Papa  rich,  and  I'd  like  to  be  rid  of  all  this 
trouble !  I'd  like  to  have  horses  and  carriages  and 
a  country  house,  and  lead  that  sort  of  life.  But 
you  said  just  now  that  that  could  never  be? 

Valpierre.    I  fear,  it  can't ! 

Cecile.  Then,  my  dear  Uncle,  I  see  nothing  else 
but  to  continue  as  we  are. 

Valpierre.  {Walking  back  and  forth,  stamping) 
If  you'd  only  gone  into  teaching,  as  I  advised  a  hun- 
dred times,  you  would  not  have  had  to  witness  these 
disgraceful  scenes. 

Cecile.  Yes,  but  it's  too  late  now.  I  am  not  a 
teacher:  I'm  good  for  nothing  at  all.    We  have  no 


i6       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

money,  and  Papa  is  in  debt.  So  I'm  forced  to  do 
my  share. 

Valpierre.  If  your  father  had  never  left 
Poitiers ! 

Cecile.    But  he  did.    What  can  you  do  about  it  ? 

Valpierre.  If  he  hadn't  been  so  fooHsh!  If 
he'd  been  only  a  little  more  prudent!  If — if — he 
might  have  been  a  regular  lawyer;  he  argues  well. 
He  might  have  had  a  position  in  the  world ! 

Cecile.  (Irritably)  If — if — if!  But  he  isn't! 
I'm  sorry,  but  it  can't  be  helped! 

Valpierre.  But  how  will  it  all  end,  mv  poor 
girl? 

Cecile.  We'll  know  later.  Auntie,  come  and 
see  Papa  talking  to  his  creditors,  on  the  sidewalk. 
It's  so  funny!  (She  goes  out  with  Mme.  Val- 
pierre, luho  exhibits  signs  of  discouragement) 

Valpierre.  This  is  going  to  end  badly.  {Enter 
the  Commandant)  Monsieur!  {Recognizing 
him)    Well!    It's  you,  Commandant ? 

Commandant.  Valpierre!  Oh,  yes,  you  are  a 
.relative  of  Brignol,  aren't  you? 

Valpierre.    His  brother-in-law. 

Commandant.  Yes.  It's  so  long  since  I  left 
Poitiers,  that  I  forgot  it.  I've  just  seen  Brignol  on 
the  sidewalk.    He  told  me  to  come  in. 

Valpierre.  He'll  be  back  soon.  You  never  come 
back  to  Poitiers  any  more  ? 

Commandant.  Very  rarely.  I  used  to  hunt 
with  my  nephew,  who  has  an  estate  near  there. 

Valpierre.  Next  to  my  own.  I've  heard  that 
you  had  business  relations  with  my  brother-in-law ; 
I  am  very  glad.  He  was  speaking  of  you  not  a 
minute  ago. 

Commandant.    I  like  him  immensely. 

Valpierre.  So  you  have  business  dealings  with 
him? 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER        17 

Commandant.  Yes.  He's  been  of  great  service 
to  me  in  my  suit. 

Valpierre.  Indeed?,  And  you're  definitely  set- 
tled in  Paris? 

Commandant.  Just  about.  Ah,  I  understand 
you,  Valpierre ;  I  know  I  didn't  leave  a  very  savory 
reputation  behind  me  in  Poitiers — is  that  what  you 
mean? 

Valpierre.  But  no  one  questions  your  honor, 
Commandant. 

Commandant.  Yet  I  am  said  to  affect  the  gam- 
ing tables  and  to  lead  the  life  of  a  regular  clubman. 

Valpierre.  You  are  chiefly  pitied  because  you've 
lost  your  fortune.  Your  private  life,  Commandant, 
in  spite  of  that  one  foible,  is  above  reproach.  Only 
it  cannot  but  cause  your  friends  pain  to  see  a  man 
of  your  position  fall  among  people  of  doubtful 
standing,  spend  your  nights  playing  cards,  reduced 
to  a  miserly  income,  after  squandering  some  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  francs.  How  did  it  hap- 
pen that  you.  Commandant,  who  would  have  pre- 
ferred suicide  a  hundred  times  to  the  slightest  sus- 
picion of — of  indelicacy ? 

Commandant.  (Touched)  Thank  you,  Val- 
pierre !  You  have  a  better  opinion  of  me  than  I 
deserve;  I've  come  to  know  myself.  Assuredly 
I  do  not  believe  myself  capable  of  committing  an 
indelicacy,  but  it  might  be  said  that  later  on  I 
should 

Valpierre.    Nonsense ! 

Commandant.  Everything  is  possible  in  gamb- 
ling! Everything!  But,  thank  God,  I'm  not  that 
low  yet ! 

Valpierre.  But  didn't  I  understand  Brignol  to 
say  that  you  had  given  up  gambling? 

Commandant.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  during  the 
past  eighteen,  months  I've  played  only  two  insignifi- 


i8       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

cant  little  games:  Chinese  besigue  and  piquet. 
I'm  so  much  better  since  I've  given  up  baccara. 

Valpierre.     Then —  ? 

Commandant.  Don't  congratulate  me;  I'm  go- 
ing to  begin  again  to-day. 

Valpierre.    That's  bad,  Commandant,  very  bad. 

Commandant.  I  hoped  that  since  I  stopped 
playing,  my  vein  of  bad  luck  has  come  to  an  end. 
Do  you  know  d'Alembert's  system? 

Valpierre.    No. 

Commandant.  {Shrugging  his  shoulders)  It 
is  said  to  be  an  excellent  one. 

Valpierre.  My  poor  friend !  Don't  you  ever 
win? 

Commandant.     No,  never. 

Valpierre.  Well,  old  soldiers  never  win  at 
baccara. 

Commandant.    True.    You've  noticed  it,  too? 

Valpierre.    I  haven't  only  it's  a  well-known  fact. 

Commandant.  Well-known,  but  still  I  keep  on 
playing !  Don't  you  ever  play  ?  As  a  general  rule, 
magistrates  are  lucky. 

Valpierre.    Ah  ? 

Commandant.  I  beg  your  pardon,  Valpierre! 
I'm  a  fool,  I  see  nothing  but  the  card-tables  all 
about  me.  I'll  die  poor,  I  know.  Now,  there's 
one  man  who  almost  saved  me  from  this  stupid 
vice :  your  brother-in-law  Brignol. 

Valpierre.    Brignol  ? 

Commandant.  My  friend,  your  brother-in-law 
is  a  wonderful  man.  He  has  a  genius  for  business — 
he'll  make  a  fortune  some  day.  Did  I  tell  you 
I  had  thirty  thousand  francs  left  over  from  what  I 
won  in  that  case  ?  It  was  my  last  resource ;  I  owe  it 
to  Brignol  for  having  saved  that  at  least  from 
baccara. 

Valpierre.    Ah ! 

Commandant.      Or    for    having   prevented    my 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       19 

going  into  those  idiotic  speculations  floated  by  the 
swindlers  who  hang  about  clubs.  My  dear  fellow, 
when  they  learned  that  I  had  that  thirty  thousand 
francs,  you  should  have  heard  the  suggestions  I  got 
as  to  how  to  invest  it !  There  was  what  d'ye  call 
'em — of  the  Bourse,  promised  me  an  income  of 
twenty  thousand. 

Valpierre.    The  devil ! 

Commandant.  Brignol  was  fair  and  square. 
He  said :  "  You  will  be  very  lucky  if  those  thirty 
thousand  francs  bring  you  six  per  cent.  They  can, 
however,  do  that,  in  the  right  hands.  Give  them  to 
me. 

Valpierre.     (Quickly)    And  you  did? 

Commandant.  Eighteen  months  ago.  We  did 
a  little  speculating,  and  I  made  two  thousand  francs 
— pocket-money. 

Valpierre.    Very  good. 

Commandant.  But,  alas,  my  good  resolutions 
have  gone.  I  resisted  as  long  as  I  could;  now  I 
must  try  my  luck  again,  and  I've  come  for  my 
money.  You  can  imagine  how  afraid  I've  been  since 
this  morning !    I  know  how  it  will  hurt  his  feelings. 

Valpierre.    Yes — indeed  it  will ! 

Commandant.  I'm  ashamed,  but  Fate  has  over- 
mastered me.  I  dream  of  baccara  at  night,  I  wake 
up  suddenly  as  from  a  nightmare.  It's  worse  for 
the  nerves  than  actually  playing. 

Valpierre.    You  don't  lose  so  much. 

Commandant.  Oh,  my  fate  is  already  sealed  in 
advance,  so  that  I  have  nothing  to  worry  about.  I 
have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  again  during  your 

Brignol.    I  beg  your  pardon,  Commandant. 

(Enter  Brignol.) 

Commandant.  (To  Valpierre)  I  hope  I  shall 
stay  at  Paris  ? 


20       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

know  I'll  die  in  poverty,  unless  I  beg  from  my  rich 

Valpierre.  I  hope  so.  Au  revoir.  {He  looks  at 
out) 

Brignol,  who  turns  his  head  azvay,  then  he  goes 
nephew.    Ah,  here  is  Brignol. 

Brignol.    Commandant,  what  can  I  do  for  you? 

Commandant.     (Hesitating)     Oh,  no 

It's  nothing  serious  that  brings  you,  is  it  ? 

Brignol.  The  end  of  the  season  looks  bright; 
if  this  keeps  up,  you'll  have  a  neat  little  sum. 

Commandant.  Thank  you,  Brignol,  thank  you! 
I  shall  never  forget  what  you  have  done  for  me. 

Brignol.  It's  really  nothing — only  natural. 
Another  man  in  my  place  would  perhaps  have 
given  you  a  little  more  money  at  first ;  he  would 
have  ended  by  squandering  your  thirty  thousand 
francs  in  some  wild-cat  speculation,  and  you  would 
never  have  seen  your  money  again.  I  prefer  to  give 
you  less,  and  risk  nothing.  (Pointing  to  the  safe) 
Your  little  capital  lies  there,  in  good  bonds.  If  the 
chance  of  a  safe  investment  comes  to  my  notice,  you 
may  be  sure  I  shall  not  let  it  slip. 

Commandant.  (Going  torvard  the  safe)  You 
say  my  bonds  are  there? 

Brignol.  In  business  it  has  always  been  a  rule 
of  mine  to  be  very  prudent  and  careful. 

Commandant.  (Walks  back  and  forth,  hesi- 
tates, then  comes  to  Brignol,  and  says,  piteously) 
Brignol,  ycfu  see  before  you  the  biggest  fool  in  Paris, 

Brignol.    What's  this? 

Commandant.    My  friend,  I'm  incurable.- 

Brignol.    Are  you  sick? 

Commandant.    The  fever! 

Brignol.  (Quickly)  Do  you  mean  to  gamble 
again?     But,  you  poor 1 

Commandant.  Don't  blame  me,  Brignol,  please 
don't !  I  know  I'm  fated  to  lose  all  and  die  in  pov- 
erty.    You  have   done   all   a  man  could  to   save 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       21 

me  from  this  catastrophe.  I'll  never  forget  your 
kindness. 

Brignol.  My  dear  Commandant,  you  are  out 
of  your  mind !  You  who  have  not  touched  a  card 
for  a  year  and  a  half  ! 

Commandant.  I've  not  once  played  baccara, 
that  is  true.  I've  played  only  children's  games, 
like  besigue.  Well,  I  was  always  able  to  lose  a  fair 
amount  of  money.  Last  month  I  figured  up  how 
much  Chinese  besigue  cost  me :  four  hundred  francs. 
The  day  before  yesterday,  I  lost  over  a  hundred 
playing  manille  with  some  Southerners.  It  was 
awful  luck !  Everybody  wins  at  those  games ! 
Then  I  said  to  myself :  "  I  might  just  as  well  re- 
turn to  baccara.  I  have  at  least  a  chance  to  win 
back  something  there."  Here's  my  receipt :  give  me 
my  bonds,  and  don't  trouble  with  me  any  longer — 
I  don't  deserve  it. 

Brignol.  Then  you  want  to  gamble  again  at 
once? 

Commandant.  To-night,  after  dinner.  The 
rare  occasions  on  which  I  do  win  are  always  after 
dinner. 

Brignol.  You'll  lose  a  good  deal  if  you  sell 
your  bonds  at  once. 

Commandant.    I  don't  care. 

Brignol.  {Pointing  to  the  calendar)  Go  back 
to  gambling  on  a  Friday,  after  so  long  an  inter- 
val! 

Commandant.  I  am  not  superstitious.  I  even 
feel  that  Friday  will  bring  me  luck. 

Brignol.  {Taking  out  his  watch)  Sell  bonds 
at  this  hour !  ?    Unheard  of  ! 

Commandant.  The  sooner  the  better.  If  I'm 
in  a  hurry,  Brignol,  it's  because  I've  firmly  resolved 
not  to  make  a  botch  of  everything,  as  I've  done  be- 
fore.    I've  studied  a  system  which  I'm  going  to 


22       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

follow  to  the  letter.  (Brignol  shrugs  his  shoulders) 
Do  you  know  D'Alembert's  System? 

Brignol.  (Confidently)  One  of  the  worst  on 
earth !  In  three  weeks  you  won't  have  a  centime  to 
your  name. 

Commandant.     (Resolutely)     Perhaps. 

Brignol.    I  know. 

Commandant.  Don't  make  me  feel  sorry,  my 
friend.  I've  begun  now  and  I  can't  stop:  it's  too 
late.  I'd  go  into  a  decline  if  I  were  delayed  for  a 
single  day.  Take  your  receipt,  and  make  up  your 
mind  that  I'm  an  ungrateful  good-for-nothing. 
(Both  gradually  move  tozuard  the  safe) 

Brignol.    Hov/  much  do  you  need  to  begin  with? 

Commandant.  Listen  to  me,  Brignol,  if  I  risk 
what  I  have,  sou  by  sou,  I'll  have  no  way  of  de- 
fending myself.  I'm  going  to  put  all  my  eggs  in 
one  basliet,  and  trust  in  the  Lord ! 

Brignol.  (Mopping  his  hroiv)  Do  you  want  it 
all?  (The  Commandant  bows  "yes")  Very 
well,  Commandant,  I've  done  my  duty.  (He  sits 
at  his  desk  and  zvrites)  You'll  have  it  to-morrow 
or  the  day  after;  I  must  have  time  for  the  neces- 
sary negotiations. 

Commandant.  I'll  attend  to  that.  Bonds  or 
railway  stock  are  as  good  as  ready-money.  The 
chief  point  is  not  to  have  time  to  think  it  over;  the 
moment  I  decide  to  do  something  foolish,  I  must 
do  it.  I  should  have  been  dreadfully  disappointed 
if  you  hadn't  my  bonds  right  here.  But  I'm  hope- 
ful ;  I  believe  I'll  win  this  time ! 

Brignol.     (A  little  pale)    To-morrow,  then? 

Commandant.  But  why  to-morrow,  Brignol? 
Let's  get  it  over  with  at  once. 

Brignol.  The  devil !  You  are  in  a  hurry ! 
There  are  certain  formalities ! 

Commandant.  What?  But  if  my  money  is 
there 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       23 

Brignol.  It  is — that  is  to  say,  its  equivalent — 
{Stammering)     You  see,  I  must  exchange 

Commandant.  Exchange  what?  You  have 
them  there!  Here's  my  receipt,  now  give  me  my 
bonds.  I'm  wilHng  to  lose  on  the  exchange — it's 
quite  simple,  you  see. 

Brignol.  You  understand  nothing  whatever 
about  business,  Commandant.  Happy  man !  You 
see,  I  haven't  your  bonds  actually  in  the  safe,  but  I 
repeat,  I  have  their  equivalent.  It  is  quite  out  of 
the  question  for  you  to  have  them  for  some  hours. 

Commandant.  {Annoyed)  Isn't  my  money 
there  in  the  safe?  I  thought  it  was;  you  just  told 
me  so. 

Brignol.    Merely  a  technical  expression. 

Commandant.  So  I  must  wait  until  to-mor- 
row ?    Noon  ? 

Brignol.    Four  o'clock. 

Commandant.  Four  o'clock.  You  have  no  idea 
how  you  upset  my  plans.  Well,  I  think  I  can  ar- 
range for  to-morrow  at  four 

Brignol.    That's  it. 

Commandant.  There'll  be  no  delay?  You 
don't  foresee  any  complications? 

Brignol.  {After  a  moment  he  takes  the  Com- 
mandant's arm)  Ah,  Commandant!  Do  you 
know  how  you  could  do  me  a  great  favor?  Don't 
begin  gambling  again  for  some  days ! 

Commandant.  Never,  Brignol!  No,  no,  no. 
Please  don't  insist. 

Brignol.  You'd  be  doing  me  an  immense  favor. 
Commandant. 

Commandant.    In  what  way? 

Brignol.  {In  an  undertone)  I  am  going  to  tell 
you  something  I  would  tell  no  one  else,  for  I  know 
you  are  incapable  of  harboring  a  base  thought. 
{The  Commandant  looks  steadfastly  at  Brignol) 
I  need  a  few  days  in  which  to  sell  your  bonds.     I 


24       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

had  no  idea  you  were  going  to  call  for  your  money 
without  warning  me;  you  see,  I  placed  them  in  an 
absolutely  safe  concern. 

Commandant.    A  few  days! 

Brignol.    Only  two  weeks. 

Commandant.  Well,  I'm  damned!  This  is 
bothersome!    An  absolutely  safe  concern?    What? 

Brignol.  Don't  worry,  you'll  have  your  money 
in  two  weeks. 

Commandant.  I  tell  you  I  do  worry,  a  great 
deal!  You  have  no  right  to  speculate  with  my 
money  without  consulting  me.  That  agreement  is 
in  my  receipt. 

Brignol.    How  was  I  to  know  beforehand ? 

Commandant.  Now  let  us  be  serious  for  a  mo- 
ment. (He  puts  his  hand  on  Brignol's  shoulder) 
What  have  you  done  with  my  thirty  thousand 
francs  ? 

Brignol.  Commandant,  you  shall  have  your 
money  two  weeks  from  to-morrow.  You  don't 
think  me  a  swindler,  do  you? 

Commandant.    No! 

Brignol.  My  word  of  honor :  two  weeks  from 
to-morrow.  You  have  my  receipt :  it  will  be  as  good 
then  as  it  is  to-day. 

Commandant.    Two  weeks ! 

Brignol.  You're  simply  wonderful,  Command- 
ant! (He  offers  his  hand;  the  Commandant  takes 
it  coldly) 

Commandant.  And  I  had  such  faith  in  you! 
When  you  said,  "  Your  bonds  are  in  the  safe,"  I 
thought  I  actually  had  them. 

Brignol.    Nothing  is  changed. 

Commandant.  This  is  really  most  unfortunate. 
A  thing  I  hadn't  expected,  I  had  such  faith  in  you, 
Brignol. 

Brignol.     I  hope.  Commandant ? 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       25 

Commandant.  (Aside,  not  answering)  I'll 
consult  with  my  nephew. 

Brignol.  You're  not  angry?  {The  Command- 
ant replies  by  a  shake  of  the  head.  Brignol,  with 
a  grand  gesture,  speaks  to  himself)  Evidently,  I 
was  wrong,  I  know  it ! 

{Enter  Carriard.) 

Carriard.  How  are  you,  Commandant?  Health 
good? 

Commandant.    Excellent. 

Carriard.  Are  we  going  to  see  you  to-night  at 
the  club? 

Commandant.  {Turning  round  angrily)  At 
the  club?  I  don't  know  when  I'll  be  seen  at  the 
club  !     {He  goes  out) 

Carriard.  {To  Brignol)  What's  the  matter 
with  him? 

Brignol.     Bad  humor. 

Carriard.    Did  you  quarrel  with  him? 

Brignol.    A  misunderstanding. 

Carriard.    Ah  ?    Serious  ? 

Brignol.    No. 

Carriard.    Good ! 

Brignol.  You  dine  here  this  evening,  don't  for- 
get. 

Carriard.  Delighted.  Are  the  ladies  well? 
Your  daughter? 

Brignl.    Splendid. 

Carriard.  I  thought  I  should  come  a  little  early 
and  tell  you  the  news :  I'm  thinking  of  buying  that 
factory  I  told  you  about  not  long  ago. 

Brignol.    What  factory? 

Carriard.    In  La  Nievre. 

Brignol.    Good !    Very  glad  to  hear  it. 

Carriard.    You  seem — preoccupied? 

Brignol.    Oh,  no! 


26       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Carriard.  You'll  have  your  position  then,  Brig- 
nol.  Of  course,  it  goes  without  saying,  you'll  have 
to  leave  Paris,  but  the  moment  it's  to  your  interest 
to 

Brignol.  That's  no  obstacle.  There  are  times 
when  I'm  quite  disgusted  with  Paris. 

Carriard.  You'll  enjoy  a  pleasant  and  quiet  ex- 
istence there  with  Mme.  Brignol.  Two  or  three 
times  a  year  I'll  come  to  see  you  with  my  wife 

Brignol.    Your  wife? 

Carriard.  Of  course!  Why,  what's  the  matter 
with  you  to-day  ?  My  wife,  yes :  your  daughter. 
Do  I  need  remind  you  that  all  this  is  to  happen 
when  I  marry  your  daughter?  We've  agreed  on 
this. 

Brignol.    Oh,  yes,  I 

Carriard.    You  remember? 

Brignol.  Perfectly.  I've  not  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  speaking  with  her  yet,  nor  with  my  wife 
— but  of  course  we're  agreed. 

Carriard.  Your  daughter  is  delightful,  charm- 
ing, faultless.  I  feel  a  great  deal  of  affection  for 
her.  It  would  really  be  a  great  disappointment  if 
I  failed  to  marry  her. 

Brignol.  But  you  understand,  don't  you,  that 
you  won't  hold  it  against  me  in  the  event  (which  is 
highly  improbable)  of  my  daughter's  refusing  you? 

Carriard.    Of  course. 

Brignol.  She  has  always  had  her  own  way.  1 
simply  cannot  exercise  the  slightest  authority  over 
her. 

Carriard.  I  confess  I  don't  expect  a  refusal. 
Your  daughter  has  treated  me  very  nicely  so  far : 
we're  on  very  friendly  terms.  I'm  not  yet  forty, 
so  that  our  ages  are  not  so  very  disproportion- 
ate  

Brignol.  So  much  the  better,  my  friend,  so 
much  the  better. 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       27 

Carriard.    When  do  you  intend  to  speak  to  her  ? 
Brignol.     Soon — in  a   few   days.     To-day   I'm 
going  to  introduce  you  to  my  brother-in-law. 
Carriard.    Valpierre  of  Poitiers  ? 
Brignol.    Do  you  know  him? 
Carriard.    I  know  everyone ! 

(Enter  the  Maid,  with  visiting  cards.) 

Brignol.     {Taking  the  cards)     More  of  them! 

Carriard.    Business  ? 

Brignol.    I  think  so.    Are  you  coming? 

(Carriard  goes  out.) 

Maid.    What  shall  I  say  to  the  gentlemen  ? 
Brignol.     Bring  them  in  here ;  I  shall  see  them 
in  a  moment.     (The  Maid  goes  to  the  other  door) 
Maid.    Will  the  gentlemen  please  come  in? 

(Enter  the  Commandant  and  Maurice.) 

Commandant.  (To  the  Maid)  I  hope  he  has 
not  gone  out  ? 

Maid.  No,  Messieurs,  Monsieur  asks  you  to  be 
good  enough  to  wait  a  moment.     (She  goes  out) 

Commandant.  (Swinging  his  cane)  Thirty 
thousand  francs ! 

Maurice.  Why  the  devil  didn't  you  tell  me 
about  this  before.  Uncle? 

Commandant.  (Shrugging  his  shoulders)  How 
could  I  imagine  such  a  thing  ?    Brignol  of  all  men ! 

Maurice.  Allow  me  to  say  that  you  are  very 
simple.    Who  is  this  Brignol? 

Commandant.  He's  from  Poitiers — I  had  great 
faith  in  him, 

Maurice.  You've  been  deceived  all  your  life, 
and  you  always  will  be.  There's  nothing  to  be 
done. 


28       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Commandant.  I  had  such  faith  in  him,  I  tell 
you!    Then  do  you  think  that  Brignol ? 

Maurice.  He's  Hke  the  rest:  speculated  with 
your  money  and  lost  it.  Don't  deceive  yourself. 
Your  money  is  lost — irrevocably ! 

Commandant.    Irrevocably? 

Maurice.    I  never  knew  an  exception ! 

Commandant.    It's  my  bad  luck  again! 

Maurice.  I  can't  understand  such  blind  confi- 
dence, Uncle ! 

Commandant.  It's  all  very  well  for  you  to  talk ! 
It's  easy  not  to  risk  your  fortune  when  you  have 
an  income  of  eighty  or  a  hundred  thousand  francs. 
You  have  nothing  to  boast  of  !  One  might  think  you 
were  an  angel  the  way  you  talk.  /  gamble,  I  admit 
it,  but  you 

Maurice.    The  ladies ! 

Commandant.  You  gave  me  enough  trouble  in 
that  way  when  I  was  still  your  guardian.     Well, 

then 

,  Maurice.  I'll  admit  it,  but  you  really  must  con- 
fess that's  better  than  allowing  yourself  to  be 
robbed  by  a  swindler.  Well,  we'll  try  to  get  back 
something  with  threats,  though  I  doubt  if  we'll 
succeed. 

Commandant.  But  what  surprises  me  is  that  a 
fellow  of  good  family,  a  lawyer —  There  are  mo- 
ments when  I  can't  believe  what's  happened  to  me. 

Maurice.  You're  not  the  only  one.  {Seeing 
Brignol,  who  is  about  to  enter)  Let  me  talk  with 
him! 

(Enter  Brignol.) 

Brignol.    Messieurs!    My  dear  Commandant. 

Commandant.  Let's  get  down  to  business, 
Brignol.  I've  thought  over  your  suggestion.  It 
won't  work! 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       29 

Maurice.  Pease,  Uncle — !  {To  Brignol) 
Monsieur,  my  uncle  has  shown  me  the  receipt  you 
gave  him.  It's  in  regular  form.  We  don't  ask  you 
to  return  the  bonds  this  evening 

Commandant.    But 

Maurice.  No,  Uncle,  you  cannot  ask  for  them 
this  evening. 

Brignol.    Obviously. 

Maurice.  We  merely  ask  to  know  their  exact 
value ;  we  should  like  to  see  them. 

Brignol.  {Walking  hack  and  forth  nervously) 
I  told  the  Commandant 

Commandant.    You  told  me  it  was  a  safe  affair, 

Maurice,    What  was  it? 

Brignol,  {Hesitating)  Just  now — Command- 
ant— we  agreed  that — that  you  should  have  your 
money  in  two  weeks 

Commandant.  {In  a  high  voice)  No,  Mon- 
sieur, we  made  no  agreement.  I  want  my  bonds, 
do  you  hear?     {He  strikes  the  desk  zvith  his  cane) 

Maurice.  Monsieur,  my  uncle  gives  you  until 
to-morrow  noon.  There  is  no  need  of  my  calling 
your  attention  to  the  gravity  of  the  situation.  If 
by  to-morrow  noon  the  matter  is  not  arranged,  my 
imcle  will  file  suit. 

Commandant.  Absolutely.  You've  behaved  in- 
famously toward  me !  Now  what  the  devil  am  I 
going  to  do  all  evening? 

Brignol.  You  just  told  me  you  haven't  been 
playing  for  the  last  year! 

Commandant.  {Still  raising  his  voice  and  mak- 
ing considerable  disturbance)  That's  not  true! 
I've  always  maintained  that  I  wouldn't  play  so  Jong 
as  I  was  in  bad  luck ;  to-day  that  streak  has  passed 
and  I  must 

{Enter  Cecile.) 


30       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Cecile.  Papa !  I  beg  your  pardon.  Messieurs ! 
(Aside  to  her  father)  I  heard  the  noise,  and  I've 
come  to  deliver  you 

Maurice.  (To  his  uncle)  Pretty,  that  little 
girl ! 

Cecile.  (Aside  to  her  father)  Creditors  again? 
Poor  Papa ! 

Brignol.  (Aside  to  Cecile)  Yes,  but  it's 
over  now.    They  were  just  leaving. 

Maurice.  (Aside  to  his  itncle)  Don't  you 
know  her  ? 

Com  ma  ndant.    Who  ? 

Maurice.    The  young  lady? 

Commandant.    What  has  she  to  do ? 

Maurice.    She's  charming! 

Cecile.  Dinner  is  ready;  hurry  up!  (To 
Maurice    and    the    Commandant)       Messieurs! 

Maurice.    Mademoiselle!     (She  goes  out) 

Commandant.  Let  us  continue.  Monsieur.  If 
by  to-morrow  noon 

Brignol.  Noon!  Really,  Commandant,  this  is 
absurd ! 

(Maurice  appears  to  take  no  interest  in  the  con- 
versation.) 

Brignol.  You  can  have  no  idea  how  painful 
these  suspicions  are,  coming  from  you ! 

Commandant.  Borrow  from  your  brother-in- 
law. 

Brignol.    I  must  have  a  few  days 

Commandant.  (To  Maurice)  What's  to  be 
done  ?    Speak !    You  don't  say  a  word ! 

Maurice.  What?  Oh,  yes.  (To  Brignol) 
Monsieur ! 

Brignol.  (Going  to  Maurice)  Now,  Mon- 
sieur, I  ask  you  on  your  honor !  You  are  a  reason- 
able man :  is  it  possible  that  the  father  of  a  family. 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       31 

a  former  practising  lawyer,  would  deliberately  do 
a  dishonorable  deed? 

Maurice.  (Mechanically)  No — no.  Have  you 
children  ? 

Brignol.    One  daughter. 

Maurice.    Yes,  3^es. 

Commandant.  Three  days!  I  give  you  three 
days,  no  more!  (Aside  to  Maurice)  Maurice, 
you  arrange  it  with  him  yourself.  I  don't  want  to 
be  present;  I  only  make  him  angry.  See  you  to- 
night. 

Brignol.  We  can  arrange  it  quite  simply  and 
amicably,  Commandant. 

Commandant.  Three  days.  Monsieur! — Oh, 
what  shall  I  do  with  those  three  days?  (He  goes 
out) 

Brignol.  Your  uncle,  Monsieur,  is  charming. 
We've  been  doing  business  together  for  a  long 
time;  I  should  be  very  sorry  to  break  with  him. 
Take  a  chair,  we'll  arrange 

Maurice.    This  three  days'  delay ? 

Brignol.  Is  enough  at  a  pinch.  I  am  sorry 
we  didn't  start  with  that;  we  should  then  have 
avoided  much  useless  explanation.  But  the  Com- 
mandant was  so  angry 

Maurice.    He  is  a  bit  brusque. 

Brignol.  I'm  very  fond  of  him,  but  I  know  that 
the  dread  of  not  being  able  to  play  for  a  few  days 
is  enough  to  exasperate  him.  But  I'm  not  at  all 
angry.  Why,  if  he's  forced  to  keep  from  the 
gambling  tables  for  some  weeks,  even 

Maurice.    Some  weeks? 

Brignol.  Weeks  or  days — little  difference. 
(Noticing  Maurice,  zvho  is  attempting  to  examine 
the  photograph  of  a  young  girl  on  his  desk)  That's 
my  daughter. 

Maurice.  She  is  charming. — Well,  I'll  try  to 
get  you  a  month's  delay,  but  I  make  no  promise. 


32       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Brignol.     He  can't  refuse  you! 

Maurice.  You're  positive  that  in  a  month's 
time ? 

Brignol.  My  dear  Monsieur,  in  a  month  the 
whole  matter  will  be  regulated.  No  need  discussing 
it  further.  A  month!  Thank  you,  my  dear  Mon- 
sieur, thank  you.    You  don't  gamble,  do  you? 

Maurice.     (Laughing)    Never! 

Brignol.  I  clearly  remember  meeting  your 
father  at  Poitiers,  when  I  was  still  practising.  He 
died  about  eighty-nine,  if  I  remember  rightly. 

Maurice.    That  was  it. 

Brignol.  And  now  you  have  only  your  uncle? 
What  a  delightful  man !  Too  bad  he  has  that  fear- 
ful habit ! 

AIaurice.    In  that  respect  he  is  hopeless. 

Brignol.  You  have  some  influence  over  him, 
you  ought  to  try  and  reason  with  him — he'll  do 
himself  great  harm  some  day, 

(Valpierre  puts  his  head  through  the  door,  and 
seeing  people  present,  is  about  to  with- 
draw.) 

Valpierre.    Pardon  me ! 

Brignol.  (Quickly)  Come  in,  you're  not  in 
the  way. 

(Enter  Valpierre.) 

Valpierre.  (Aside  to  Brignol)  Was  it  the 
Commandant  who  was  making  all  that  noise  ? 

Brignol.  (Aside  to  Valfierre)  Noise?  What 
noise?  (Aloud)  My  dear  friend,  let  me  introduce 
you  to  Monsieur  Maurice  Vernot.  Commandant 
Brunet's  nephew — my  brother-in-law,  Monsieur 
Valpierre,  magistrate  at  Poitiers. 

Maurice.    (Bowing)    Ah ! 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       33 

Valpierre.  The  Commandant's  nephew!  Our 
estates  are  almost  adjoining. 

Brignol.  Strange  you  don't  know  each  other. 
Valpierre,  my  dear  Monsieur  Vernot  was,  like  my- 
self, one  of  your  father's  friends. 

Valpierre.  Yes.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling 
merit. 

Brignol.    A  man  of  extraordinary  gifts. 

(Enter  a  Maid.) 

Maid.    Dinner  is  ready. 

Brignol.  Very  well.  Let  Madame  know. 
{To  Maurice,  after  a  moment's  hesitation)  I  sin- 
cerely hope.  Monsieur  Vernot,  that  you  will  give 
us  the  pleasure  of  your  company  at  dinner  this 


evenmg 


Maurice.  Too  good  of  you,  Monsiur — really, 
quite  out  of  the  question ! 

Brignol.  My  brother-in-law  would  deem  it  a 
special  favor. 

Valpierre.    Please,  Monsieur! 

Brignol.  Quite  informal  family  gathering. 
(Enter  Mme.  Brignol,  Cecile,  and  Carriard) 
My  wife — my  daughter — Monsieur  Maurice  Ver- 
not, Commandant  Brunet's  nephew,  who  has  done 
us  the  honor  of  accepting  our  invitation  to  dinner. 

Maurice.    But  I 

Mme.  Brignol.  It  will  be  a  pleasure,  I  assure 
you. 

Brignol.     Come:  dinner,  children,  dinner! 

(They  all  go  out  at  the  back.) 

Curtain  J 


34       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 


ACT  H 

Scene:  Same  as  in  the  first  act.  As  the  curtain 
rises,  Maurice  is  sorting  bank-notes,  zvhich  he 
takes  from  his  pocket-book,  and  gives  to 
Brignol. 

Brignol.  Thank  you,  my  dear  friend.  I'll  pay 
you  this  little  sum  on  the 

Maurice.  Let's  not  discuss  it.  Shall  we  go  to 
the  theater  to-night  ? 

Brignol.  I  believe  the  ladies  were  planning 
it  yesterday.  I'll  ask  them.  {Shaking  hands 
with  Maurice)  I  shan't  even  thank  you,  old  man ! 
You've  been  so  obliging,  and  often — !  And  you've 
been  so  pleasant  about  it. 

(Maurice  makes  a  gsture  of  deprecation,  and  Brig- 
nol goes  out.) 

Maurice.  Now,  what  have  I  loaned  him  this 
past  two  weeks?  Fifteen  hundred  the  day  after  I 
came  here;  ten  louis;  to-day,  three  thousand. 
That's — hm — ^yes — and  why?  What  am  I  doing 
here?  Marry  that  delightful  little  girl?  Impossi- 
ble !  Her  father  is  a  bit  too — too  much  of  a  type — 
rfOt  marry  her  ?    I  think  I'd  better — travel ! 

{Enter  Brignol  and  Cecile.) 

Cecile.  {To  Maurice)  How  are  you.  Mon- 
sieur? {They  shake  hands)  We  are  very  happy 
to  accept  your  kind  invitation  to  the  box-party. 
Thank  you!  It's  been  at  least  two  months  since 
we've  been  to  the  theater. 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       35 

Brignor.  Two  months!  That's  so.  {He  sits 
at  his  desk,  writing) 

Maurice.  (In  an  undertone  to  Cecile)  I  am 
very  happy  if  you  are  pleased. 

Cecile.     What  is  the  play?     (She  sits  down) 

Maurice.  (After  a  pause)  Why  do  you  go  to 
the  theater  so  seldom? 

Cecile.    My  father  is  very  busy. 

Brignol.    Oh,  the  devil ! 

Cecile.  He  can  never  come  with  us.  We  live 
a  most  provincial  existence. 

Maurice.    Don't  you  ever  get  tired  of  it? 

Cecile.  Not  very.  We  never  go  anywhere,  or 
see  anyone,  and  yet  (I  hardly  know  how)  the  time 
passes,  and  I'm  not  too  much  bored. 

Maurice.    Just  the  other  way  with  me. 

Cecile.    Do  you  get  bored  ? 

Maurice.      Often — not    to    say — er — constantly. 

Cecile.  Yet  you  seem  to  have  a  good  solid  char- 
acter. 

Maurice.  I  have — I'm  not  sad  as  a  rule.  If  I'm 
bored,  it's  because  I  usually  associate  with  bores, 
that's  all.  Since  I've  known  you,  I've  felt  better, 
gayer,  light-hearted 

Cecile.    Good !    Will  you  come  often  to  see  us  ? 

Maurice.    I  should  think  so !    I'm  not  a  bore  ? 

Cecile.  Of  course  not!  My  mother  has  taken 
quite  a  fancy  to  you. 

Brignol.  (Continuing  work  at  his  desk)  Think 
of  it,  the  landlord  actually  fined  me ! 

(Enter  the  Maid.) 

Maid.    A  letter  for  Monsieur. 
Maurice.     (In  an  undertone)     Only — hm — if  I 
come  to  see  you,  do  you  know  what  will  happen? 
Cecile.    No.    What? 
Maurice.    I'll  fall  in  love  with  you ! 


2,6       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Cecile.    Monsieur ! 

Maurice.  {Almost  in  a  whisper)  I  love  you 
— I  love  you ! 

Brignol.  {Tapping  on  a  letter)  Oh,  no!  Peo- 
ple don't  really  write  that  sort  of  letter ! 

Maurice.    What's  the  trouble? 

Brignol.  A  letter  from  the  Commandnat.  {To 
Cecile)    Leave  us,  dear. 

Maurice.    Mademoiselle ! 

Cecile.    Monsieur !    {She  goes  out) 

Maurice.    What  does  he  say? 

Brignol.  {Reading)  "  Monsieur,  the  limit  of 
the  latest  delay  which  I  was  kind  enough  to  allow 
3'^ou  is  more  than  past ;  I  shall  be  at  your  office  at 
three  o'clock  to-day,  and  if  I  fail  to  receive  my 
money,  I  shall  sue  you  for  embezzlement.  Com- 
mandant Brunet." — Embezzlement?  The  devil! 
That's  a  bit  strong! 

Maurice.  {Taking  the  letter  and  reading  it, 
as  he  shakes  his  head)     Really! 

Brignol.    Haven't  you  seen  your  uncle  ? 

Maurice.  Oh,  yes.  I  advised  him  to  be  patient. 
I  told  him  you  would  pay  him  soon. 

Brignol.    The  month  isn't  nearly  up. 

Maurice.  He  promised  me  he  would  wait.  I'll 
try  to  see  him  once  more.  {Looking  at  his  watch) 
He  ought  to  be  home  now. 

(Enter  Valpierre  and  Mme.  Brignol.) 

Brignol.  {Aside  to  Maurice)  Good,  go  and 
see  him.  This  is  very  kind  of  you ;  I'm  sorry  to 
make  you  all  this  trouble.  But  I'd  like  to  see  the 
affair  settled  as  soon  as  possible. 

Maurice.    That  would  be  better. 

Brignol.    Much  better ! 

Maurice.  {To  Mme.  Brignol)  Madame! 
{To  Valpierre)     Monsieur  1 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       37 

Mme.  Brignol.  (To  Brignol,  zvho  is  about  to 
conduct  Maurice  out)  We've  just  done  our  er- 
rands.    Adolphe  has  decided  to  leave  to-morrow. 

Brignol.     (Troubled)     Why  to-morrow? 

Valpierre.    We  must  get  back  to  Poitiers. 

Maurice.    Good-bye,  Monsieur. 

Valpierre.    Good-bye  to  you,  Monsieur. 

Brignol.  Just  wait  a  moment  for  me.  (He 
goes  out  with  Maurice) 

Mme.  Brignol.  Why  are  you  going  so  soon? 
You  intended  to  stay  in  Paris  a  month?  What's 
happened  ?    Why  must  you  go  now  ? 

Valpierre.    I  don't  have  to  go. 

Mme.  Brignol.    Well  then? 

Valpierre.  Shall  I  tell  you  the  truth?  I'm  going 
because  I  don't  like  being  mixed  up  in  these  go- 
ings-on of  your  husband.  He'll  come  to  some  bad 
end  one  of  these  days,  I'm  telling  you.  (A  gesture 
from  Mme.  Brignol)  You  can  never  tell  just 
where  you  stand  with  that  man.  He's  so — uncer- 
tain— he  does  things — !  You're  not  sure  with  him. 
You're  his  wife ;  tell  me,  do  you  ever  understand 
what  he's  doing? 

Mme.  Brignol.  He's  not  bad,  I  know  that.  Is 
it  really  his  fault  if  we  happen  to  be  in  so  unfortu- 
nate a  situation? 

Valpierre.  Altogether  his  fault.  There  was 
no  reason  why  you  should  not  have  enjoyed  the 
most  honorable  position  in  life.  Brignol  was  the 
only  black  sheep  in  the  family. 

Mme.  Brignol.  Sometimes  I  imagine  it's  his 
bad  luck ;  he  has  no  glaring  faults. 

Valpierre.  It  would  be  much  better  if  he  had — 
even  vices.  Vices  are  known  qualities,  they  can 
be  classified,  dealt  with;  people  with  good  sound 
vices  can  be  handled.  Your  husband  is  slippery, 
amorphous:  he  has  no  characer,  good  or  bad.  I 
maintain   he    is   capable   of    committing   the    most 


38       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

dangerous  acts,  perhaps  even  without  intending 
them.  For  instance:  there  is  a  man,  I  suspect — 
I  am  positive — with  whom  you  ought  to  be  on  bad 
terms:  Commandant  Brunet's  nephew.  I  know 
what  I'm  saying !  Well,  you  are  most  friendly  with 
him,  he  even  visits  you !  And  why  ?  How  does  it 
happen?  I  don't  know,  and  that's  what  is  so 
aggravating  about  Brignol.  Leaving  aside  the  fact 
that  his  presence  here  is  likely  to  be  very  com- 
promising to  Cecile — and  I  tell  you,  such  a  thing 
in  Poitiers — ! 

Mme.  Brignol.  Oh,  there's  nothing  to  worry 
about  on  that  score !  We  see  very  little  company, 
and  here  in  Paris  no  one  pays  attention  to  a  small 
matter  like  that. 

Valpierre.  My  dear,  in  Paris,  as  out  of  it, 
when  a  young  man  pays  too  much  attention  to  a 
young  woman,  the  result  is  invariably  the  same. 

Mme.  Brignol.  My  husband  says  M.  Vernot 
is  an  excellent  client.  Granting  even  that  you  are 
right,  I  don't  dare  discuss  the  matter  with  Brignol. 
-You  tell  him. 

Valpierre.  I  am  positive  it  wouldn't  do  a  parti- 
cle of  good! 

Mme.  Brignol.  Do  it  for  my  sake.  I  could 
never  make  him  admit  he  was  in  the  wrong.  I 
know  nothing,  I  never  knew  anything.  That's  the 
way  we've  lived  since  our  marriage. 

Valpierre.  I'd  be  glad  to  do  you  the  favor, 
and  try  to  clear  up  matters  finally.  Afterward, 
he  may  do  as  he  likes. 

(Enter  Brignol.) 

Mme.  Brignol.    Please !    (She  goes  out) 
Brignol.     You've  quite  made  up  your  mind  to 
go? 

Valpierre.     Yes.     Now,   (sitting  on  the  sofa) 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       39 

we're  going  to  have  an  explanation,  if  you  please. 
This  is  the  last  time,  as  I  just  told  your  wife.  I 
wanted  to  leave  in  peace,  without  meddling  fur- 
ther. I  should  have  avoided  saying  things  that  are — 
disagreeable 

Brignol.  Did  my  wife  ask  you  to  say  disagree- 
able things  to  me  ? 

Valpierre.  Please  let's  not  quibble,  and  believe 
me  when  I  say  that  if  I  didn't  have  a  niece  whose 
interest  I  have  at  heart,  I  should  have  few  business 
dealings  with  you ! 

Brignol.  I  quite  understand.  But  why  "  busi- 
ness dealings  ?  "  You  always  talk  like  a  magistrate. 
One  might  think  that  every  act  in  life  was  a  crime. 

Valpierre.    Or  a  robbery ! 

Brignol.  That's  funny.  Since  we've  become 
reconciled,  you  continue  to  treat  me  as  a  male- 
factor. Of  course,  I  shouldn't  dream  of  complain- 
ing  

Valpierre.    We'll  pass  over  that. 

Brignol.  What  the  devil,  don't  be  so  touchy! 
You  see  catastrophes  everywhere.  The  other  day, 
we  were  irreparably  lost,  we  are  steering  straight 
for  the  poor-house  because  we  were  in  arrears  with 
our  rent.  Well,  here  I  am,  as  good  as  new,  after 
paying  the  rent! 

Valpierre.  (Rising)  Because  you  have  bor- 
rowed money,  doubless  from  M.  Vernot.  I  am 
positively  astonished !  But  then  everyhing  you  do 
astonishes  me ! 

Brignol.  And  what  of  it?  To  begin  with,  it  is 
merely  a  loan  from  M.  Vernot — who  is,  I  may  say,  a 
charming  fellow.  Indeed,  if  Vernot  hadn't  been 
ready,  I  had  any  number  of  other  resources. 

Valpierre.  Then  you  believe  that  this  man, 
whom  you  didn't  know  up  to  two  weeks  ago,  is 
lending  you  money  for  the  fun  of  it,  to  do  you  a 
favor,  for  the  pleasure  of  your  conversation?    That 


40       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

he  comes  here  every  day  for  your  company,  and 
takes  you  to  the  theater — ? 

Brignol.  I  have  known  M.  Vernot  for  a  long 
time ! 

Valpierre.    Oh ! 

Brignol.    Through  his  uncle. 

Valpierre.  His  uncle?  {Going  close  to  Brig- 
nol) Look  me  in  the  eye!  I  have  spoken  five 
minutes  with  the  Commandant,  in  this  place !  But 
I  shan't  say  anything  further  about  that ! 

Brignol.  You  may;  I  don't  care  if  you  know 
everything  about  it.  There  was  merely  a  misun- 
derstanding between  us;  those  things  happen  fre- 
quently in  business.  To-day  we  are  on  the  best  of 
terms. 

Valpierre.  (Sarcastically)  I'm  delighted  to 
hear  that  everything  is  going  so  smoothly !  Your 
situation  is  quite  secure.  Only,  within  a  month's 
time,  let  me  tell  you,  your  daughter  will  be  com- 
promised beyond  all  mending 

Brignol.    How?    By  whom? 
-     Valpierre.    By  M.  Vernot.    That  is  enough. 

Brignol.  Oh !  How  do  you  make  it  out  that  a 
young  girl  is  compromised  because  a  young  man 
comes  to  the  house  ? 

Valpierre.     Perhaps  he's  going  to  marry  her? 

Brignol.  (Touching  Valpierre's  arm)  My 
poor  friend,  don't  you  understand  anything?  Do 
you  take  me  for  an  ass?  Do  you  imagine  I  ^yould 
have  allowed  Maurice  to  come  here  if  I  hadn't 
realized  that  he  was  the  husband  Cecile  had  set  her 
heart  on,  the  husband  par  excellence,  just  the  man 
for  us  ? 

Valpierre.    You're  joking,  aren't  you? 

Brignol.    I  couldn't  have  found  a  better ! 

Valpierre.    I  believe  that !    Ha !    Ha ! 

Brignol.    What's  the  matter? 

Valpierre.    Funny!    Ha!    Ha!  < 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       41 

Brignol.  This  marriage  is  no  less  than  a  stroke 
of  genius. 

Valpierre.  Admirable !  You'll  bring  it  about  in 
a  month,  eh  ?    Ha !    Ha ! 

Brignol.  What  are  you  laughing  at?  Isn't 
Maurice  a  nice  fellow? 

Valpierre.    (Ironically)    Perfect! 

Brignol.  Do  you  think  I've  taken  him  as  the 
first-comer?  Do  you  imagine  I  haven't  made  all 
sorts  of  inquiries  before  giving  him  to  my  daugh- 
ter? 

Valpierre.  You  couldn't — !  Then  really,  you 
have  made  inquiries —  ?    Ha !    Ha ! 

Brignol.  Good  family,  honorable  position,  a 
hundred  thousand  francs  a  year! 

Valpierre.    Only  a  hundred  thousand  ? 

Brignol.    Perhaps  more. 

Valpierre.    You  are  simply  astounding! 

Brignol.  He's  in  love  with  Cecile,  I  am  posi- 
tive, and  besides,  I  like  him  myself.  I  already  treat 
him  as  a  member  of  the  family. 

Valpierre.    Yes,  you  do ! 

Brignol.  Doesn't  it  seem  a  desirable  match  to 
you? 

Valpierre.  (Becoming  serious)  Then  you're 
not  crazy?  My  word  of  honor,  there  are  times 
when  I  think  you  are — or  worse.  So  you  think  that 
M.  Vernot,  with  an  income  of  a  hundred  thousand 
francs,  a  man  who  knows  all  about  you,  who  has 
arranged  God  knows  what  compromise  with  the 
Commandant — ?  Let  me  continue !  (Brignol  is  ill 
at  ease;  he  walks  away,  mumhling)  A  very  grave 
matter,  for  which  you  could  be  sent  to  jail  for 
embezzlement — Keep  still !  Embezzlement,  I  say ! 
I've  judged  hundreds  of  cases  like  it.  Do  you  im- 
agine for  one  instant  that  that  man  is  going  to  marry 
your  daughter? 

Brignol.    I'm  positive.    Why  shouldn't  he  ?    Be- 


42       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

cause  she  has  no  dowry  ?  In  the  provinces,  I  know, 
girls  without  dowries  don't  marry,  but  in  Paris  it 
happens  every  day.  I'm  not  going  out  of  business: 
I'll  get  her  dowry  later  on. 

VALriERRE.  Poor  fellow !  It's  very  painful  for 
me  to  tell  you  these  things,  but  it's  high  time  your 
eyes  were  opened.  If  you  only  knew  what  I've 
heard  about  you  since  I  came !  You  have  a  nice 
reputation ! 

Brignol.  What  have  you  heard  about  me?  I'd 
like  to  know. 

Valpierre.    Do  you  want  to? 

Brignol.    Don't  mind  me. 

Valpierre.  Only  yesterday,  among  a  number  of 
people  you  know,  business  men  you  have  deal- 
ings with,  someone  said  that  you  were — he  didn't 
know  I  was  a  relative  of  yours,  and  I  blushed 

Brignol.     (Indifferently)     That  I  was  a ? 

Valpierre.  A  swindler,  since  you  insist;  that 
you  made  a  living  by  underhanded  transactions, 
shady  affairs — and  he  cited  facts. 
-  Brignol.  Haphazard  accusations — I  pay  no  at- 
tention to  them.  The  word  swindler  hasn't  the 
same  meaning  here  as  in  the  provinces.  In 
Paris,  when  someone  calls  a  man  a  swindler  it 
means  absolutely  nothing.  It's  a  word  in  ordinary 
use.  I  don't  know  a  person  to  whom  the  word  has 
not  been  applied. 

Valpierre.  (Turning  toward  Brignol)  How 
about  me  ? 

Brignol.    You  live  in  Poitiers ! 

Valpierre.  Let  us  resume.  I  leave  to-morrow; 
this  is  the  last  talk  we  are  to  have  on  this  subject. 
I've  warned  you,  and  I  warn  you  again :  M.  Vernot 
will  not  marry  your  daughter,  he  will 

Brignol.     (Rising)    Valpierre,  no  joking! 

Valpierre.  I  hope  Cecile  will  know  how  to  be- 
have herself ! 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       43 

Brignol.  (With  dignity)  I  am  sure  of  her. 
She  takes  after  her  mother. 

Valpierre.    Good-bye. 

Brignol.  I'll  run  in  to  see  you  at  your  hotel  be- 
fore you  leave. 

Valpierre.  Just  as  you  like.  (He  goes  toward 
the  door) 

(Enter  Mme.  Brignol  and  Cecile.) 

Cecile.  Oh,  Uncle,  you're  not  going  so  soon? 
Stay  just  one  more  week !  You  promised,  you 
know. 

Valpierre.  (Coldly)  I  am  sorry,  but  it  is  im- 
possible. 

Brignol.    He  doesn't  want  to.    I  insisted,  too. 

Cecile.     (Going  to  her  uncle)     And  if  /  insist? 

Valpierre.  Useless,  dear  child.  I  must  go  to- 
morrow night.     (He  goes  out,  back) 

Mme.  Brignol.  He's  annoyed  at  something,  I'm 
sure.     Have  you  had  another  dispute? 

Brignol.  No,  but  it's  impossible  to  argue 
reasonably  with  that  man.  It's  a  monomania  with 
him:  he  preaches  morality  on  every  occasion.  I 
can't  stand  it.  (He  goes  to  Cecile  and  kisses  her) 
Let  him  say  what  he  likes ;  we'll  be  rich  some  day. 

Mme.  Brignol.  Speaking  of  that,  he's  not  al- 
together wrong,  though. 

Cecile.    What  ? 

Brignol.    Nothing. 

Mme.  Brignol.  (Going  toward  him)  I  beg 
your  pardon !  I'm  sure  Cecile  has  enough  common- 
sense  to  allow  us  to  speak  of  certain  rather  deli- 
cate matters  in  her  presence. 

Cecile.    (Going  to  her  father)    What  is  it? 

Brignol.  Nonsense. — Cecile,  my  child,  I  must 
insist  that  you  do  not  allow  yourself  to  be  influenced 
by  your  uncle.    Our  situation  just  now  is  not  serious, 


44       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

but  it  is  somewhat  complicated;  so  that  if  an  occa- 
sion arises  whereby  we  can  escape  in  a  brilliant  and 
honorable  manner,  it  would  be  foolish  not  to  make 
the  best  of  it. 

Mme.  Brignol.  (Coming  to  them)  Dreams! 
You're  always  dreaming.  I  shouldn't  like  to  see 
Cecile  disillusioned ;  she  is  already  only  too  prone  to 
follow  the  line  of  least  resistance. 

Brignol.  And  she  is  right.  That's  the  best  way 
to  fight  against  bad  luck.  Where  should  I  be  if 
we  all  three  sat  down  and  cried  over  our  misfor- 
tunes ? 

Cecile.    What  is  it  now? 

Brignol.  So  far,  there's  nothing  definitely  de- 
cided.   We'll  talk  about  it  one  of  these  days. 

Mme.  Brignol.  (Going  to  her  husband)  We 
must  talk  about  it  to-day.  I  don't  want  Cecile  com- 
promised. 

Cecile.    I?    Please,  what  is  this  mystery,  Papa? 

Mme.  Brignol.  (Slowly,  to  her  husband) 
Have  you  any  other  reasons  beside  your  usual 
"hopes  "?  Have  you  any  real  reason  for  believing 
that  M.  Vernot  is  going  to  ask  for  Cecile's  hand? 
He  comes  every  day,  dines  here,  and  we  go  to  the 
theater  together.  He  is  thirty,  Cecile  is  twenty;  I 
believe  what  Valpierre  told  you  ought  to  make  you 
stop  and  consider. 

Brignol.  Among  men  and  women  of  the  world, 
there  are  certain  things  that  are  taken  for  granted, 
without  its  being  necessary  to  speak  of  them. 

Mme.  Brignol.  A  marriage  is  not  a  matter  that 
is  taken  for  granted.  A  young  woman's  hand  has 
never  been  asked  for  except  through  the  medium 
of  words. 

Brignol.    I  Have  confidence  in  Maurice. 

Mme.  Brignol.    But  I  am  afraid 

Cecile.  (Rising)  Oh,  why  talk  about  it?  The 
gentleman  seems  very  nice,  but  I   shouldn't  con- 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       45 

sider  him  seriously  as  a  fiance.  If  he  asked  for  my 
hand,  I  know  what  I  should  tell  him. 

Brignol.  Of  course.  (Taking  his  zvife  and 
daughter  each  by  the  hand)  My  children,  my  dear 
children,  in  the  name  of  Heaven,  don't  cross  your 
bridges  until  you  come  to  them.  Have  faith  in  me : 
everything  is  going  beautifully ;  our  situation  is  im- 
proving from  day  to  day. 

Mme.  Brignol.  You  think  so  because  you  hap- 
pen to  have  come  into  a  little  ready  money.  It's 
always  been  that  way  with  you.  We've  been  living 
for  the  last  ten  years  as  if  we  were  about  to  inherit 
a  million  the  next  day. 

Brignol.    That's  the  only  way  to  get  the  million. 

Mme.  Brignol.  If  I  didn't  worry  about  the  fu- 
ture any  more  than  you  did 

Brignol.  The  day  one  thinks  of  the  future,  he 
is  lost.  You'll  never  get  me  to  worry  about  the 
morrow.  Luckily  I  have  better  things  to  occupy 
me.  I  promise  that  this  marriage  will  take  place, 
my  child !    You  may  count  on  it ! 

Cecile.    I  may  count  on  it? 

Brignol.  Figure  of  speech :  I  mean,  it  will  take 
place ! 

Cecile.  I  don't  care  a  straw  whether  it  does  or 
not.  Remember  that !  Undeniably,  M.  Vernot  is 
nice,  and  he's  rich,  and  I  have  no  dowry.  But  I'd 
raher  be  an  old  maid  and  live  in  poverty  than  win 
a  husband,  like  a  prize  in  a  lottery! 

Brignol.  (Sitting  doztm)  Good  Lord!  I  might 
have  expected  these  exaggerations ! 

Cecile.  I'd  rather  be  an  actress.  If  the  gentle- 
man makes  hard  conditions,  show  him  the  door. 

Brignol.  He's  very  amenable.  That  isn't  the 
question,  however.  Everything  is  going  very 
smoothly.  I  only  ask  you  not  to  spoil  it  by  absurd 
reasoning.  I  am  as  concerned  for  your  dignity  as 
you  are  yourself. 


46       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 
(Enter  the  Maid.) 

Maid,     Monsieur  Carriard. 

Brignol.  Now,  children,  leave  me  to  my  busi- 
ness. (To  the  Maid)  Ask  him  to  come  in.  (The 
Maid  follows  Mme.  Brignol  and  Cecile  out) 

(Enter  Carriard.) 

Carriard.    I've  just  signed 

Brignol.    Ah ! 

Carriard.    The  factory's  mine  f 

Brignol.    Good. 

Carriard.  (Slapping  Brignol  on  the  shoulder) 
And  for  you,  four  thousand  francs  a  year  and  board 
and  lodging.  Your  work  is  to  inspect  the  factory. 
Not  much  to  do ! 

Brignol.     Inspection?     In  La  Nievre? 

Carriard.  You  shan't  have  to  get  up  until  nine 
in  the  morning. 

Brignol.  I  have  got  up  at  seven  every  day  of 
my  life.  I  have  a  mortal  terror  of  laziness.  But 
I  wonder  whether  at  my  age  it's  wise  and  reason- 
able to  begin  a  new  career?  I've  never  felt  irre- 
sistibly drawn  toward  industry — to  my  great  re- 
gret. Yes,  I  believe  that  industry  should  be  re- 
formed from  top  to  bottom. 

Carriard.  Just  at  present  that  is  beside  the 
question;  we  are  now  concerned  with  installing  you 
there  as  soon  as  possible.  I  must  have  someone  I 
can  count  on  absolutely. 

Brignol.  How  do  you  mean,  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble? 

Carriard.    A  week  at  the  latest. 

Brignol.  Leave  here  in  a  week?  Leave  my 
business  ?    Just  consider,  Carriard 

Carriard.     Brignol,  you're  not  going  to  refuse 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       47 

such  a  splendid  offer!  Your  future  assured,  easy 
work ! 

Brignol.  My  friend,  that  is  just  why  I  object 
to  it.  The  work  is  too  easy,  if  you'd  Hke  to  know. 
What  I  demand  is  a  vast  and  compHcated  system, 
in  which  nothing  is  decided  or  mapped  out  in  ad- 
vance.   I  must  not  know  what  I  have  to  do. 

Carriard.  Let's  be  serious,  Brignol.  I  can't 
think  for  an  instant  that  you  intend  to  live  a  life 
of  idleness  after  your  daughter  marries? 

Brignol.    I  shudder  to  think  of  it ! 

Carriard.  And  then  we're  too  closely  connected 
to  be  able  to  live  together.  Let  us  fix  the  date  of 
the  wedding  to-night.  Then  you  will  come  with 
me,  I'll  introduce  you  to  the  firm 

Brignol.    Hm!    In  La  Nievre? 

Carriard.  Aren't  you  ready?  Tell  me,  Brignol. 
You  don't  have  the  least  idea,  do  you,  that  your 
daughter  is  going  to  refuse  me? 

Brignol.     I  see  no  reason — I  don't  think  so 

Carriard.  I  feel  quite  certain  she  doesn't  de- 
spise me. 

Brignol.    You  see,  she  is  only  twenty. 

Carriard.  I  consider  the  marriage  quite  decided. 
I  have  your  word  for  it — a  word  which  cannot  be 
retracted. 

Brignol.  Cecile  must  be  consulted,  however:  it 
concerns  her  alone. 

Carriard.    You,  too. 

Brignol.  I  have  already  told  you  I  should 
never  make  use  of  my  authority 

Carriard.  I  don't  wish  that  either,  and  I  hope 
there  will  be  no  necessity  for  force. 

Brignol.  (After  a  pause)  Are  you  sure  you 
will  please  my  daughter,  Carriard? 

Carriard.  Brignol,  let's  stop  joking!  You'll 
soon  make  me  think  that  you  are  fogetting  your 
situation.     You   understand   what   I   mean,   don't 


48       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

you?  I  am  the  only  person  who  can  extricate  you. 
Speak  to  your  daughter  now.  I  shall  return  in 
an  hour  for  the  answer. 

(Enter  Maurice.) 

Maurice.  My  dear  M.  Brignol,  I  have  just 
come  from — (Seeing  Carriard)  Ah,  I  beg  your 
pardon !     Monsieur ! 

Carriard.  Monsieur!  (Aside)  The  Com- 
mandant's nephew !  Can  it  be —  ?  See  you  later, 
Brignol ! 

Brignol.    Yes. 

Carriard.  (Aside,  as  he  goes  out)  Ho,  ho! 
That  is  a  bit — !    But  he'll  pay  dear ! 

Brignol.    You've  seen  your  uncle? 

Maurice.  Yes,  I've  just  come  from  his  room. 
He's  inflexible,  but  I've  arranged  a  combination. 

Brignol.  Capital !  You  have  no  idea  how  I 
wanted  the  whole  matter  over  with ! 

Maurice.  Here  it  is,  then.  I've  just  drawn 
thirty  thousand  francs ;  I  have  them  now.  You'll 
give  them  to  my  uncle  when  he  comes.  We  shan't 
say  anything  more  about  the  matter.  This  is  the 
easiest  way  out.  The  Commandant  will  never  sus- 
pect. 

Brignol.  I  think,  my  friend,  that  you  have 
found  the  only  real  solution. 

Maurice.  Here's  the  money — my  uncle  will  be 
here  soon. 

Brignol.  He'll  be  furious,  and — (Laughing) 
Good  joke  on  him! 

Maurice.  I'll  stay  in  the  house,  and  wait  to 
hear  the  news.     (He  goes  out  left) 

Brignol.  There's  the  bell.  It's  he! — One  mo- 
ment !  (He  puts  the  notes  given  him  by  Maurice 
into  the  safe) 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       49 
{Enter  the  Maid,  followed  by  the  Commandant.) 

Maid.    Commandant  Brunet. 

Brignol.  {In  a  brusque  manner,  befitting  a 
serious  business  man )  Tell  him  to  come  in ! 
{The  Maid  goes  out,  and  the  Commandant  enters 
a  moment  later)  Commandant,  I  was  waiting  for 
you.  {Pointing  to  a  chair)  Be  good  enough  to 
sit  down. 

Commandant.  Monsieur,  it  is  understood  that 
you  are  to  give  me  my  money  at  once.  You  shall 
not  have  another  minute's  grace. 

Brignol.  (Sits  at  his  desk.  The  Commandant 
sits  opposite.  Brignol  arranges  papers,  murmur- 
ing) Hm — mm — Commandant  Brunet,  good! 
{Negligently)     Still  go  to  the  Club? 

Commandant.    Yes,  Monsieur. 

Brignol.     {As  he  writes)    How  is  your  luck? 

Commandant.  Very  bad.  Monsieur. — I  am 
waiting. 

Brignol.  One  moment — Very  bad?  I'm  not 
at  all  surprised,  with  the  system  you  use ! 

Commandant.  {Dryly)  Best  system,  Mon- 
sieur. {Rising)  That  is  not  the  question  at  pres- 
ent. 

Brignol.  {Handing  him  a  slip  of  paper)  Be 
good  enough  to  sign  this.    You'll  have  your  money. 

Commandant.    At  once? 

Brignol.  At  once.  {Good-naturedly)  Rest 
assured  that  if  I  speak  of  d'Alembert's  system,  it 
is  not  merely  idle  curiosity.  I  take  a  deep  interest 
in  you,  a  real  interest.  {During  this  speech  he 
goes  to  the  safe,  takes  out  the  notes,  and  fingers 
them)  If  you  had  allowed  me  to  handle  your 
money,  I  should  have  arranged  so  that  you  would 
have  a  neat  little  income  that  would  have  looked 
very  nicely  in  the  future.  But  you  prefer  risking 
your  last  resources  on  an  absurd  system.     That's 


50       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

your  affair,  of  course.  I  have  done  my  duty  as  a 
friend:  I  have  tried  to  postpone  the  crash  as  long 
as  possible.  You  have  at  last  demanded  your 
money,  in  no  uncertain  terms.  Here  it  is.  I 
sincerely  hope  you  will  never  regret  having  taken 
it  out  of  my  keeping. 

Commandant.     (Astonished)    Brignol,  I 

Brignol.  ]\Iy  experience  in  business,  my  dear 
Commandant,  and  my  high  esteem  for  you,  give  me 
the  right  to  say  that.  Now  it  is  all  over — I'll  say 
nothing  further. 

Commandant.  I  firmly  believe  that  at  base  you 
are  absolutely  right,  Brignol,  only 

Brignol.  Seven — eight — fourteen — fifteen — fif- 
teen.— Now  why  risk  everything?  That's  very  im- 
prudent, I  think.  Try  half,  why  not?  Here's  an 
idea.  Commandant.  With  fifteen  thousand  francs 
you  surely  have  enough  to  begin  again.  Then  you'll 
still  have-  another  fifteen  thousand,  as  a  final 
resource.    What  do  you  say? 

Commandant.  (With  bozved  head)  No,  I've 
■  made  up  my  mind  !  You  see,  with  fifteen  thousand 
francs  I  can't  do  anything! 

Brignol.  As  you  like.  Here  are  your  thirty 
thousand. 

Commandant.  (Folding  the  notes)  Brignol, 
I'm  going  to  begin  to-night.  I  have  great  confi- 
dence. 

Brignol.    Good  luck  to  you ! 

Commandant.  Thank  you,  Brignol.  (He  goes 
a  fezv  steps  toward  the  door,  then  returns)  When 
I've  lost  every  sou,  I'll  go  and  live  in  the  country 
with  my  nephew.  He's  rich — but  you  know  him,  of 
course.  I'm  told  you  all  went  to  the  theater  to- 
gether ? 

Brignol.    Charming  fellow! 

Commandant.  He  never  old  me  about  his  in- 
timacy with  you? 

Brignol.    (Importantly)    I  knew  his  father. 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER        51 

Commandant.    Where? 

Brignol,    At  Poitiers. 

Commandant.  {Puszled)  I  beg  your  pardon 
— I  thought — the  day  I  came  here  with  him — you 
weren't  acquainted? 

Brignol.  I  had  business  dealings  of  an  amica- 
ble nature  with  M.  Vernot  the  elder,  and  that 

Commandant.    Yes,  yes. 

Brignol.  Since  then,  I  have  seen  your  nephew 
from  time  to  time.  Just  lately,  he  happened  to  sit 
near  us  at  the  theater. 

Commandant.  {On  his  guard)  I  see,  I  see. 
You've  seen  him  to-day. 

Brignol.    Your  nephew  ? 

Commandant.  Come,  come,  Brignol,  I'm  not 
an  infant !  You've  seen  my  nephew  to-day.  I'll 
wager  he's  here  now  !  He  is !  Brignol,  will  you  be 
kind  enough  to  tell  him  I  should  like  to  see  him 
immediately !  ? 

Brignol.  {Aside)  Why  not?  I  believe  he's 
with  the  ladies.  I'll  look  for  him,  Commandant. 
{He  goes  out) 

Commandant.  Ha!  I  knew  it — of  course.  To 
think  that ! 

{Enter  Maurice.) 

Maurice.    {Laughing)    Well,  Uncle? 

Commandant.  {After  a  moment's  pause)  Of 
course,  you  lent  him  the  money? 

Maurice.     No. 

Commandant.  Listen  to  me:  I'm  not  so  fool- 
ish as  you  think.  When  you  saw  that  Brignol  had 
swindled  me  out  of  thirty  thousand  francs 

Maurice.    Now,  now ! 

Commandant.  You  used  the  word  first! — When 
you  saw  that  Brignol  had  swindled  me  out  of  thirty 
thousand  francs,  I  thought  I'd  get  some  information 


52       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

about  him — I  should  have  done  that  before.  I've 
found  out  certain  very  damaging  facts.  I  tell  you, 
Brignol  would  never  in  the  world  have  got  that 
money  if  you  hadn't  lent  it  to  him.     Don't  deny  it. 

Maurice.  And  what  of  it?  If  it  goes  to  you, 
it's  still  in  the  family ! 

Commandant.    Well? 

Maurice.  You  need  have  no  scruples,  Uncle. 
I've  arranged  it  all  with  Brignol — he'll  pay  me 
back  eventually. 

Commandant.  I  can  see  you're  in  love  with 
that  swindler's  daughter.  That's  a  nice  situation! 
But  she  is  pretty ! 

Maurice.    Yes. 

Commandant.  But,  what  the  devil?  have  you 
ever  thought  what  this  will  all  lead  to?  Brignol 
is  Brignol,  my  boy.  This  is  bad!  It  goes  without 
saying  you're  not  thinking  of  marrying  Brignol's 
daughter  ? 

Maurice.  (Hesitating)  It's  not  a  matter 
of 

Commandant.  On  the  other  hand,  Brignol's 
family  is  not  so  bad  as  Brignol  himself.  There  is, 
for  instance,  Valpierre,  a  very  good  judge.  Now  I 
hope,  Maurice,  your  intentions  toward  the  young 
lady  are  honorable  ?  A  young  lady  is  a  young  lady, 
you  know — it's  a  serious  matter. 

Maurice.  The  young  lady  in  question  is  a  serious 
matter ! 

Commandant.  But  if  you  don't  intend  to  marry 
her ? 

Maurice.  {Vaguely)  I  hardly  think  I  shall — 
I  don't  believe  I  intend  to 

Commandant.    Then  you ? 

Maurice.    No,  I  don't  say  that ! 

Commandant.    Then  what  do  you  intend  to  do? 

Maurice.    I  don't  know. 

Commandant.      There's    nothing    else    to    do! 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       53 

You  know  there's  no  middle  way.  Do  you  want  to 
marry  her  or  not? 

Maurice.  I  haven't  the  slightest  idea.  I  do 
know  that  I  love  her. 

Commandant.  Ridiculous!  Look  here,  Mau- 
rice, you  ought  not  to  be  so  underhanded  with  me. 
I  understand,  I  think.  H  you  say  to  me,  "  Uncle, 
I  love  Brignol's  daughter,  I  want  to  make  her  my 
wife — and  I  want  to  see  him  out  of  the  way,"  I 
should  then  say,  "  Do  as  you  like."  If,  on  the  other 
hand  you  came  to  me  and  said,  "I'm  running  away 
with  the  little  girl  to-morrow,"  I  might  blame  you, 
but  I  should  probably  forgive  you.  That  would 
not  be  the  first  time  such  a  thing  happened.  But 
what  I  think  absurd  is  not  to  know  which  of  the 
two  courses  you  want  to  follow. 

Maurice.  I  can  give  you  no  other  answer:  I 
don't  know. 

Commandant.  And  yet,  under  these  conditions, 
you  continue  to  come  here  day  after  day. 

Maurice.    I'm  waiting  for  an  inspiration. 

Commandant.  You're  weak!  I'm  just  the 
same  way  myself ! 

Maurice.    What  do  you  advise,  Uncle  ? 

Commandant.  You  ask  my  advice,  mine?  {In 
despair)  You  ask  me,  a  man  who  never  did  any- 
thing that  wasn't  foolish,  ruin  his  career,  gam- 
ble away  his  fortune?  Me,  who  always  acted 
like  an  idiot?  You  ask  me  to  advise  you  in  a  seri- 
ous affair  of  this  kind?    That's  not  reasonable. 

Maurice.  Then  I  have  nothing  to  do  but  go  on 
as  before.  We  are  going  to  the  theater  this  even- 
ing; will  you  join  us? 

Commandant.  Never!  I  don't  care  to  associate 
with  Brignol.  It's  not,  of  course,  because  he  bor- 
rowed money  from  you — I  might  do  the  same  thing 
myself ! 


54       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 
(Enter  Brignol.) 

Brignol.  Will  you  give  us  the  pleasure  of  your 
company,  my  dear  Commandant  ? 

Commandant.  (Drily)  Thank  you — quite  im- 
possible ! 

Brignol.    I  hope  we  shall  again  have  the  honor ! 

Commandant.  Are  vou  coming  with  me,  Mau- 
rice? 

Maurice.  At  once.  (To  Brignol)  Until  this 
evening,  then ! 

Brignol.  This  evening !  Good-bye,  old  man. 
Good-bye,  Commandant. 

(Maurice  and  the  Commandant  go  out.) 

Brignol.  (Ruhhing  his  hands)  Well,  well, 
everything  running  beautifully.  I  have  only  to  ar- 
range that  affair  of  Carriard's.  I  must  make  him 
see  that.    He's  a  good  fellow. 

(Enter  Cecile.) 

Cecile.  Mamma  wants  to  know  whether  we're 
going  to  the  Opera-Comique  to-night? 

Brignol.  Are  we  going?!  I  should  think  we 
are  going!  Go  and  get  dressed,  dear — oh,  now 
that  we  are  alone  a  moment,  let  me  advise  one 
thing.  Never  look  at  life  in  its  darker  hues ;  never 
forget  your  good  humor.  We  are  now  on  the  eve 
of  important  events,  and  I  know  a  little  girl  who 
will  be  the  happiest  of  women  to-morrow. 

Cecile.    Oh !    How  ? 

Brignol.  The  happiest  of  women.  There  is  but 
one  possible  obstacle  in  the  way  of  your  marriage — 
your  own  desire. 

Cecile.    I  hardly  think  that  an  obstacle. 

Brignol.      You    love    Maurice,    I'm    sure    you 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER        55 

do.  Dearest,  I  am  profoundly  happy.  Oh,  by  the 
way,  what  do  you  think  about  Carriard  ? 

Cecile.  (Laughing)  About  Carriard?  Noth- 
ing. 

Brignol.    Good!    That's  right! 

(Enter  the  Maid.) 
Maid.    Monsieur  Carriard.     (She  goes  out) 
(Enter  Carriard.) 

Carriard.  (Bows  to  Cecile,  and  says  aside  to 
Brignol,  who  advances  in  his  direction)  Have 
you  asked ? 

Brignol.  (Aside  to  Carriard)  Haven't  had 
time  yet. 

Carriard.  (Aloud)  Useless ! — As  Mile.  Cecile 
is  here,  I  shall  profit  by  the  occasion  and  speak  to 
her  myself. — Mademoiselle  ? 

Brignol.  (Aside)  No,  never  do!  (Aloud) 
Cecile,  please  leave  me  with  Carriard ;  I  have  a  few 
words  to  say  to  him. 

Carriard.  (Going  tozvard  Cecile,  who  is  about 
to  leave)  It  is  a  matter  of  great  importance,  yet 
quite  simple :  five  minutes  will  suffice.  I  have  had 
the  honor.  Mademoiselle,  to  ask  your  father  for 
your  hand  in  marriage.  My  proposal  found  favor 
in  his  eyes,  and  he  promised  to  intercede  on  my  be- 
half. 

Brignol.  (In  an  undertone)  Why,  that  isn't  at 
all ! 

Carriard.  (Not  listening  to  Brignol)  My  sole 
merit  is  that  I  am  a  friend  of  your  father,  whose 
dearest  wish  is  this  union. 

Brignol.  I  have  always  told  you,  Carriard,  that 
my  daughter  was  quite  free  to  choose  for  herself. 

Carriard.    We  have  cherished  this  thought  for 


56       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

some  time ;  indeed,  we  were  speaking  of  the  matter 
only  a  few  moments  ago. 

Cecile.  (Looking  at  her  father,  then  at  Car- 
riard)     Monsieur 

Brignol.  The  child's  embarrassment  is  quite 
natural,  my  friend.  Don't  you  think  it  would  be 
better ? 

Carriard.  I  am  not  so  foolish  as  to  ask  for  an 
immediate  answer  from  Mile.  Cecile.  I  wish  merely 
to  state  in  your  presence  that  you  thoroughly  ap- 
prove of  the  marriage. 

Brignol.    Of  course,  of  course 

Carriard.  I  trust  you  will  be  good  enough  to 
repeat  that  to  your  daughter.  Speak  to  her !  (Aside 
to  Brignol  brusquely)  See  here,  are  you  making 
game  of  me,  or  not? 

Brignol.  (Shaking  Carriard's  hand)  My  dear 
friend,  you  know  how  I  feel  toward  you.  I  have 
only  to  ask  my  wife's  advice. 

Carriard.  Please  do  so  as  soon  as  possible. 
(To  Cecile)  I  have  the  greatest  respect  and  ad- 
miration for  your  mother.  Mademoiselle,  but  allow 
me  to  repeat  that  I  have  your  father's  formal  con- 
sent. 

Brignol.  (Going  toward  Cecile;  in  an  under- 
tone to  her)  Say  anything,  and  get  rid  of  him! 
We'll  arrange  later. 

Cecile.  Monsieur,  I  wish  there  to  be  no  mis- 
understanding between  us.  I  am  flattered  and 
deeply  obliged  by  your  proposal 

Brignol.    Good. 

Cecile.     But  I  am  incapable  of  hypocrisy. 

Brignol.    Of  course. 

Cecile.  I  think  this  marriage  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. 

Brignol.    Ah ! 

Carriard.     (Meaningly,  to  Brignol)    Oh !    Oh ! 

Brignol.     My  daughter  means  that  perhaps — 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER        57 
under  the  circumstances — but  later,  possibly- 


Cecile.  I  beg  your  pardon !  Let  me  say  once 
more  that  I  am  highly  flattered  and  touched,  but  I 
am  not  thinking  of  marrying  at  present. 

Carriard.    Then  you  definitely  refuse? 

Brignol.    Oh,  not  at  all ! 

Carriard.    I  am  speaking  to  Mademoiselle. 

Cecile.  Yes,  definitely.  Monsieur.  I  am  deeply 
obliged,  however 

Carriard.  {To  Brignol)  You  have  played  me 
a  trick ! 

Brignol.    Is  it  my  fault? 

Carriard.    You're  a  swindler! 

Brignol.  Carriard,  my  friend,  you  are  forget- 
ting yourself. 

Cecile,  I  beg  your  pardon,  Monsieur,  but  I 
can't  allow  you  to  speak  that  way  in  my  prsence. 
I  am  going, 

Carriard,  I  assure  you.  Mademoiselle,  it  is  to 
your  interest  to  listen  to  me,  {To  Brignol)  My 
dear  friend,  you're  not  mean  at  bottom,  and  I 
must  confess  I  had  rather  expected  this.  Young 
Vernot  would  certainly  prove  a  more  suitable  son- 
in-law  than  I — I  don't  deny  it — and  I  thoroughly 
approve  of  your  efforts  to  bring  him  here.  Only — 
and  I  call  your  attention  to  this  fact,  Mademoiselle, 
— you  must  be  out  of  your  mind  to  believe  that  M. 
Vernot  would  marry  the  daughter  of  a  man  who 
has  committed  a  veritable 

Brignol.    Here !    What's  this  ? 

Carriard.  The  Commandant  has  told  it  every- 
where. He's  going  to  take  the  matter  into  the 
courts. 

Brignol,  I'm  a  busy  man,  and  I  can't  listen  to 
all  this  nonsense.  Yet  I  take  the  liberty  of  inform- 
ing you,  if  you  care  to  know,  that  I  don't  owe  a 
single  sou  to  the  Commandant. 

Carriard.    That's  not  true. 


58       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Brignol'.    Not  true  ?    Here  is  the  receipt ! 

Carriard.  Ha!  Ha!  Well,  if  you  can  find 
money  so  easily,  you  can  pay  me  what  you  owe  me, 
and  we'll  call  matters  square.  Vernot  lent  you 
enough  to  pay  the  Commandant,  he  will  lend  you 
enough  to  pay  me.  Mademoiselle,  I  have  the  honor 
to  bid  you  good-day.     {He  goes  out) 

Brignol.    I  was  quite  mistaken  about  that  man ! 

Cecile.  Was  there  any  truth  in  what  he  said? 
You  might  at  least  tell  me,  I'm  not  a  child.  Has  M. 
Vernot  really  helped  you  out? 

Brignol.  That  is  not  the  question.  What  I  am 
surprised  at  is  the  way  he  twists  things  around  to 
his  own  ends.  If  there'd  been  a  witness  at  this 
last  scene,  I  might  have  been  taken  for  a  common 
thief !  Such  are  the  tribulations  of  business  men ! 
{Looking  at  his  watch)  Now  go  and  dress,  dear. 
You've  not  forgotten  we're  going  to  the  theater? 
I  tell  you,  I'll  enjoy  a  little  recreation  of  the  sort ! 

Cecile.     To   the   theater !     You   don't   imagine 

I'm  going  to  the  theater  with  that  gentleman ? 

■  Brignol.  What  gentleman?  Maurice?  I  hope, 
Cecile,  you're  not  allowing  yourself  to  be  influ- 
enced by  those  ridiculous  things.  Take  my  word  for 
it  if  I  have  been  a  bit  careless  in  certain  transactions, 
I've  never  done  a  really  dishonest  deed ! 

Cecile.  Oh,  Papa,  do  I  doubt  you?  And  then, 
that  doesn't  concern  me.  But  I  believe  I  had  better 
not  be  seen  in  M.  Vernot's  company;  it  would 
be 

Brignol.    But  why,  why? 

Cecile.  Why?  Because  I  don't  want  him  to 
think  me  a  little  intriguing  woman,  or  worse ! 

Brignol.    Nonsense ! 

Cecile.  {To  herself)  He  is  rich!  Have  I 
thought  of  that?  He  must  believe  I  know  every- 
thing? What  must  he  have  thought  of  me  ?  Yet  he 
goes  right  ahead !    Oh ! 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       59 

Brignol.  Goes  right  ahead?  What  do  you 
mean? 

Cecile.  I  mean  that  only  an  hour  ago — he  spoke 
to  me — he — he  told  me  in  so  many  words  that  he 
loved  me ! 

Brignol.    a  proposal ! 

Cecile.  Well! — But  he  never  really  seriously 
thought  of  marrying  me!  Now  I  understand. 
Never,  do  you  hear !    It's  as  clear  as  day !    Never ! 

Brignol.  If  that  is  true,  I  should  never  think 
of  allowing  him ! 

Cecile.    Oh ! 

Brignol.    He'll  have  to  deal  with  me ! 

Cecile.     There's  no  use  in ! 

Brignol.  I  don't  care  if  I  do  owe  him  money! 
Dear  little  Cecile,  dearest,  don't  blame  me,  please 
don't! 

Cecile.  How  could  I  ever  blame  you  for  any- 
thing? Poor  Papa!  Well,  I  always  thought  I 
should  be  an  old  maid!    (She  goes  out) 

Brignol.    I'll  think  of  something! 

Curtain 


ACT  III 

Scene:    Same  as  in  the  preceding  acts.    Madame 
Brignol  and  Cecile  are  present. 

Mme.  Brignol.  Have  you  told  your  father  every- 
thing ? 

Cecile.  Yes.  You  knew,  didn't  you,  that  M. 
Vernot  had  lent  us  money? 

Mme.  Brignol.  Your  father  did  not  say  so;  he 
doesn't  say  much,  but  I  guessed. 


6o       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Cecile.  When  I  think  that  that  young  man  be- 
lieved  ! 

Mme.  Brignol.  You  mustn't  take  it  too  much 
to  heart,  dear.  While  we're  in  this  uncertain  situ- 
ation we're  so  exposed  to  catastrophes !  I  think  it's 
a  miracle  nothing  has  happened  these  past  twenty 
years. 

Cecile.    Well  ? 

Mme.  Brignol.  (After  a  pause)  You  love 
him,  don't  you  ? 

Cecile.     That  isn't  the  question. 

Mme.  Brignol.    Poor  child! 

Cecile.  It — it  isn't  easy  to  resign  myself!  The 
humiliation — ! 

Mme.  Brignol.  Shall  I  have  your  aunt  take 
you  to  the  country  with  her — for  three  or  four 
months?    Until  the  fall? 

Cecile.     Yes,  please !     That's  a  splendid  idea ! 

Mme.  Brignol.    She'll  be  here  any  moment. 

Cecile.     Splendid — from  now  until  we  go 

-  Mme.  Brignol.  Your  father  must  find  what  he 
calls  "  some  sort  of  combination."  If  he  doesn't,  I 
will. 

Cecile.    If  he'll  only  consent 

Mme.  Brignol.  Your  father?  He  will — don't 
worry  about  that. 

Cecile.  (Smiling)  Three  months  without  see- 
ing the  bailiffs !  I'll  come  back  with  renewed  vigor, 
ready  to  face  next  winter's  creditors ! 

Mme.  Brignol.     I  need  some  strength  myself. 

(Enter  Brignol  with  papers.) 

Brignol.    How  are  you,  children?    (To  Cecile) 
Have  you  told  your  mother  ? 
Cecile.    Yes. 

Brignol.     (To  his  wife)     So  you  know? 
Mme.  Brignol.     Yes. 
Brignol,     Good.     And  Carriard!     Green  with 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       6i 

envy!  But  I  have  done  a  great  deal  of  thinking 
since  yesterday 

Cecile.    So  have  I. 

Brignol.  Not  so  much  as  I  have.  I  have  come 
to  the  conclusion  that  we  should  attach  no  impor- 
tance to  the  insinuations  of  that  fool.  Such  things 
are  bound  to  happen.  For  instance,  I  thought  I'd 
amuse  myself  this  morning  by  adding  up  all  our 
debts.     How  much  do  you  think  we  owe? 

Mme.  Brignol.    Well,  I 

Brignol.    Say  something. 

Mme.  Brignol.    How  can ? 

Brignol.  (Jotting  figures  in  a  note-book  which 
he  takes  from  his  pocket)  68,350  francs.  Only 
that !  I've  tried  to  think  of  other  debts,  and  go 
through  all  the  books — not  a  centime  more ! 

Cecile.    That's  nice ! 

Brignol.  This  includes  debts  of  long  standing; 
the  creditors  have  doubtless  disappeared  long  ago. 
I  couldn't  pay  them  if  I  wanted  to.  So  with  a 
relatively  small  sum,  I  could  pay  off  all  my  credi- 
tors. 

Mme.  Brignol.    All  you  need  is  the  money. 

Brignol.  I'm  very  glad  to  have  added  these  up ; 
I  thought  I  owed  much  more.  Now  most  assuredly 
something  must  turn  up,  and  everything  will  come 
out  perfectly. 

Mme.  Brignol.    Do  you  think  so? 

Brignol.  Your  brother,  who  has  led  a  most 
regular  life,  believes  I  am  a  lost  man.  {Taking  tip 
a  piece  of  paper)  Oh,  I  forgot — !  (He  jots  down 
something)     Let  him  believe  it,  and  have  patience! 

Mme.  Brignol.  Will  you  be  good  enough  to 
listen  to  me,  instead  of  calculating — that  isn't  any 
use  now ! 

Brignol.    Well,  what  is  it? 

Mme.  Brignol.     I'm  going  to  send  Cecile  away 


62       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

with  her  aunt  and  uncle  to  the  country,  to- 
morrow. 

Brignol.    To  the  country?    Why? 

Mme.  Brignol.  The  child  must  not  see  M.  Ver- 
not  any  more. 

Brignol.  Now,  now,  let's  not  be  over-hasty.  I 
cannot  think  that  M.  Vernot — that  Maurice,  even 
if  he  had  no  intention  of  asking  you  to  marry  him, 
would  so  insult  you !    No ! 

Cecile.    Ha !    Ha ! 

Mme.  Brignol.  For  once,  have  the  courage  to 
confess  and  don't  delude  yourself.  This  is  not  a 
business  matter;  this  time  it  is  a  question  of  your 
own  daughter's  welfare. 

Cecile.  (Going  to  her  father)  Please  let  me  go 
away.  Papa!  Let's  say  nothing  more  about  it. 
(Smiling)  This  is  so  humiliating!  I  feel  that  if  I 
did  marry  him  after  all,  I  shouldn't  be  happy — yes, 
it's  a  superstition ! 

Brignol.  (Gesticulating  to  himself,  then  walking 
azvay)  I'll  know  very  soon,  in  any  event,  and  if — 
we'll  see!     (Going  to  Cecile)    When  do  you  leave ? 

Cecile.    To-morrow. 

Brignol.    To-morrow — we'll  see,  we'll  see! 

(Enter  Mme.  Valpierre.) 

Mme.  Brignol.  (Going  to  Mme.  Valpierre) 
I'm  very  anxious  to  see  you,  dear. — I  have  an  idea. 
Could  you  take  charge  of  Cecile  during  the  sum- 
mer? 

Mme.  Valpierre.  Delighted !  I  was  thinking 
of  that  myself.  Of  course  we'll  take  you, 
dearie. 

Cecile.    Truly  ? 

Mme.  Valpierre.  We'll  even  wait  a  little  while 
for  you,  if  you  can't  start  at  once. 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       63 

Mme,  Brignol.  There's  no  necessity  for  that. 
The  sooner  she  goes,  the  better. 

Brignol.    Thank  you,  dear 

Mme.  Valpierre.  We  are  doing  this  in  her  best 
interests 

CiciLE.  You'll  let  me  take  some  books,  won't 
you,  I'apa?  Uncle's  library  must  be  rather  stiff 
reading ! 

Brignol.  {To  Mme.  Valpierre)  Shall  I  see 
Valpierre  before  he  leaves  ? 

Mme.  Valpierre.    H  you  like. 

Brignol.  I  should.  I  don't  want  there  to  be  the 
shadow  of  a  misunderstanding  between  us.  He's  not 
angry  with  me  now,  is  he?  (Mme.  Valpierre  does 
not  ans^ver)     Is  there  any  good  reason  why ? 

Mme.  Valpierre.  My  husband  advised  me  not 
to  talk  business  with  you. 

Brignol.  I  should  be  deeply  hurt  if  he  went 
away  with  any  hard  thoughts  of  me.  (Mme.  Val- 
pierre shozvs  that  she  docs  not  want  to  argue  the 
question)  I  am  willing  to  furnish  irrefutable  proofs 
that  he  is  absolutely  mistaken  about  my  intentions 
on  a  number  of  matters.  I  have  a  good  deal  more 
energy  than  you  give  me  credit  for;  I  have  besides 
made  up  my  mind  that  as  soon  as  everything  is 
settled,  I  shall  leave  Paris.  If  it  became  neces- 
sary, I  should  even  leave  France  and  accept  a  po- 
sition in  a  foreign  country.  I  could  do  it!  (He 
walks  back  and  forth)  My  Heavens,  it  seems  that 
you  and  Valpierre  came  here  only  in  order  to  dis- 
courage me ! 

Mme.  Valpierre.    I  say  absolutely  nothing. 

Brignol.  You're  always  with  me,  you  never 
once  leave  me — as  self-respecting  relations  ought! 
Valpierre  is  furious  with  me  on  the  most  absurd 
grounds — does  he  want  me  to  throw  myself  at  his 
feet?     What  can  I  do?     There  are  certain  things 


64       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

in  life  which,  try  as  I  will,  I  cannot  take  seriously. 
I  lack  that  sense. 

Mme.  Valpierre.    I  have  no  advice  to  give  you. 

Brignol.  I'll  see  Valpierre — we  must  say  good- 
bye, at  least. 

{Enter  the  Maid.) 

Maid.    M.  Vernot.     (SJie  goes  out) 

Brignol.     Ah,  here's  Vernot.     I   tell  you,   I'll 

soon  find  out!     {The  ladies  go  out)     When  you 

want  something  done,  do  it  yourself ! 

{Enter  Maurice.) 

Maurice.  My  dear  M.  Brignol,  I've  come  to 
offer  you  the  position  I  spoke  of  a  few  days  ago.  It 
happens  to  be  open :  you're  just  the  man  for  it. 

Brignol.    Yes — yes — : — 

Maurice.  Shall  we  go  out?  I'll  introduce  you 
at  once. 

Brignol.  {After  a  pause)  My  dear  friend,  I 
'  have  something  to  say  to  you :  you've  been  very 
kind  and  amiable  on  several  occasions — I  have  not 
forgotten !  Well,  I  am  on  the  point  of  taking  a  de- 
cisive step. 

Maurice.    Why,  what's  happened? 

Brignol.  Nothing  in  particular,  but  would  you 
like  my  opinion?  I  feel  that  here  in  Paris  I  shall 
never  succeed. 

Maurice.    Oh ! 

Brignol.  I  was  just  speaking  about  it  to  my 
sister-in-law,  and  I  have  determined  to  leave  not 
only  Paris,  but  France 

Maurice.    Indeed ! 

Brignol.  There  are  greater  opportunities  abroad. 
There's  more  room  for  a  man  with  initiative ;  I 
have  a  number  of  plans  which  are  out  of  the  ques- 
tion here,  but  which  there  I  can 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       65 

Maurice.    There  ?    Where  ? 

Erigxol.     I've  not  just  yet  decided. 

Maurice.    (Aside)   What  the  devil ? ^You  will 

admit,  Brignol,  this  is  rather  sudden ! 

Brignol.  Every  resolution  I  have  ever  taken 
has  been  like  that.  Before  I  go,  I  shall  leave  you  a 
memorandum  of  the  various  sums  you  have  ad- 
vanced to  me.  Alas,  my  friend,  we  know  not  who 
are  to  live  and  who  die! 

Maurice.    Oh,  now ! 

Brignol.  (Looking  at  Maurice)  Meantime  I 
shall  send  the  family  to  the  country  with  Valpierre : 
they  would  be  in  the  way. 

Maurice.    To  Poitiers? 

Brignol.    Yes,  Poitiers 

Maurice.     Mme.  Brignol  and ? 

Brignol.  My  daughter.  The  country  will  do 
them  good.  (Maurice  is  embarrassed.  There  is  a 
pause)    They  leave  to-morrow. 

Maurice.    To-morrow  ? ! 

Brignol.  In  the  morning — with  my  brother-in- 
law. — By  the  way,  what  are  your  plans  for  the 
summer  ? 

Maurice.  (Mechanically)  I — I  don't  know — 
I 

Brignol.    The  Commandant  is  well  ? 

Maurice.  I  presume  so.  I  hope  Mile.  Cecile's 
headache,  which  prevented  her  coming  to  the 
theater  last  night,  is  quite  over? 

Brignol.  Quite,  thank  you.  (Enter  the  Maid. 
She  gives  Brignol  an  official  document  and  goes 
out)  Let's  see.  (Reads)  "  I,  Perrot,  bailiff,  on 
complaint  of  herein-mentioned  Carriard — "  Ha! 
Ha !  From  Carriard !  In  twenty-four  hours !  He's 
lost  no  time  !     (Shrugging  his  shoulders)     Fool ! 

Maurice.    Is  M.  Carriard  suing  you? 

Brignol.  It's  of  no  importance.  (Maurice  is 
about   to   take   out   his  pocket-book)      Now,   my 


66       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

friend — !  I  thank  you  kindly,  but  I  cannot  think 
of  accepting  help  again !  There  is  a  limit  to  every- 
thing— everything,  old  man!  I'll  look  after  this 
myself. 

(Enter  the  Commandant.) 

Commandant.    My  dear  Brignol ! 

Brignol.     My  dear  Commandant! 

Commandant.  (To  Maurice)  I  must  have  a 
word  with  you.    I've  just  come  from  your  place. 

Maurice.  I'll  come  .  with  you.  Uncle.  (He 
takes  up  his  hat)  Will  you  give  my  kindest  regards 
to  Mme.  Brignol  and  Mile.  Cecile? 

Brignol.  The  ladies  went  out.  I'll  see  whether 
they  have  returned  yet. — It's  all  over — (He  goes 
out) 

Commandant.    I  thought  you  were  here! 

Maurice.  Have  you  something  important  to  tell 
me? 

Commandant.  Yes.  (Piteously)  I  want  to  go 
■  away. 

Maurice.    Where  ? 

Commandant.    Far  away. 

Maurice.    Did  you  lose  much  last  night? 

Commandant.    Three  thousand. 

Maurice.  The  devil !  And  what  about  the  sys- 
tem? 

Commandant.  I  didn't  use  it;  I  went  at  it 
haphazard.  I  always  do  that  when  I'm  playing 
baccara.  I  came  home  at  five  this  morning,  slept 
badly,  and  was  depressed. 

Maurice.    Well  ? 

Commandant.  I  have  only  one  thing  to  do  now. 
I've  not  left  Paris  for  five  years,  and  I've  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  I  must  retire  for  a  whole  season 
to  some  unfrequented  corner  by  the  sea,  where  I  can 
rest,  and  not  touch  a  card. 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       dy 

Maurice.  {Laughing)  What  do  you  say  to 
Trouville  ? 

Commandant.  Don't  make  fun  of  me.  You're 
so  reasonable,  now;  come  with  me.  We'll  take  the 
five  o'clock  train. 

Maurice.     (Disturbed)     Go  with  you? 

Commandant.  {Slapping  him  on  the  shoulder) 
This  is  no  place  for  you,  either.  Cut  matters  short, 
before  you  make  a  fool  of  yourself. 

Maurice.    Hm ! 

Commandant.  Yes,  a  big  fool  of  yourself !  You 
know  you'd  be  a  fool  to  marry  Mile.  Brignol — at 
your  age !  Just  think !  You're  not  so  simple !  I 
warn  you,  I'll  do  my  best  to  interfere,  and  never 
tire  of  repeating  that  you  are  in  wrong. 

Maurice.  Something  has  happened  here  since 
yesterday.    I  can  see  that. 

Commandant.  Poor  fellow !  If  you  bother 
wondering  what  happens  or  what  doesn't  happen  to 
Brignol — !  I  blame  you  severely  for  the  way  you've 
behaved  toward  the  young  lady,  but  then  you  saved 
her  father  from  the  devil  of  a  bad  situation ;  that  is 
some  excuse — a  sort  of  compensation. 

Maurice.    She  is  going  away. 

Commandant.    Going  away? 

Maurice.  To  stay  with  her  uncle  in  the  country. 
And  Brignol  says  he's  going  abroad.  Do  you  make 
it  out? 

Commandant.  Ha!  If  I  could  make  out  what 
Brignol  means — !  Well,  if  she's  going  away,  why 
can't  you,  too?  {Urging  him  toward  the  door) 
Let's  go ;  I  have  a  carriage 

Maurice.    Why  the  devil  is  she  going  ? 

Commandant.    You  can't  find  out. 

Maurice.    I  must  first  tell  Brignol. 

Commandant.  Write  to  him  from  Brittany! 
Can't  you  go  away  without  his  permission  ?  Ridicu- 
lous!    {He  seises  Maurice  by  the  arm)     Come, 


68       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

come!      {He  takes  Maurice  out;  Maurice  goes 
with  bowed  head.    Enter  Cecile.    She  zvaits  for  a 
moment  until  the  men  are  gone.    Then  she  goes  to 
the  book-case,  and  makes  up  a  packet  of  books) 
Cecile.    I  wish  it  were  to-morrow ! 
{Enter  Maurice  hurriedly,  not  seeing  Cecile.) 

Maurice.  I  must  leave  a  word  for  Brignol. 
That's  the  simplest  way.  {He  catches  sight  of 
Cecile,  who  is  about  to  retire)  Oh,  Mile.  Cecile, 
you  are  in  a  hurry ! 

Cecile.  Oh,  no.  I — I  was  looking  for  some 
books. 

Maurice.  Your  father  told  me  you  were  leaving 
Paris  soon? 

Cecile.  I  am:  to-morrow.  My  aunt  is  good 
enough  to  offer  to  take  care  of  me  for  awhile. 

Maurice.    Are  you  glad  to  go  ? 

Cecile.    Very.    Good-bye,  Monsieur. 

Maurice.  We  are  not  parting  on  the  best  of 
terms.  Mademoiselle 

Cecile.  What  have  we  quarrelled  about?  The 
spring's  here,  and  I'm  going  away.  I  suppose  you 
are,  too  ?  I  merely  say  good-bye  ;  is  there  anything 
wrong  in  that? 

Maurice.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  I  am  not  going 
away. 

Cecile.    What  of  it.  Monsieur? 

Maurice.  Come,  Mademoiselle,  I  have  some 
right,  at  least,  to  be  surprised  at  this  sudden  change 
in  your  attitude  toward  me.  I  think  I  dserve  some 
explanation  ? 

Cecile.  Oh,  I  was  forgetting.  {Taking  up  the 
hooks  on  the  table)  I  learned  yesterday  by  pure 
accident,  that  you  had  done  my  father  a  great  serv- 
ice. {A  gesture  from  Maurice)  I  have  not  yet 
thanked  you,  but  I  now  take  the  opportunity  of  do- 
ing so 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       69 

Maurice.  The  idea!  I  don't  want  that!  I 
have  merely  done  M.  Brignol  a  small  favor. 

Cecile.    I  beg  your  pardon.    I  am  most  gratful ! 

Maurice.  (Laughing)  Not  at  all.  I  don't  pre- 
tend to  have  saved  your  father  by  having  advanced 
him  a  few — Please  let  us  say  nothing  more  about  it. 

Cecile.  Why  not  ?  For  most  people,  money  is  so 
precious  and  sacred  that  those  who  lend  it  often 
believe  they  are  permitted  every  liberty  toward  the 
recipient.  They  can  even  ask  for  it  back  in  the  most 
brutal  and  haughty  way 

Maurice.    Oh ! 

Cecile.  I  have  seen  my  father  treated  like  a  dog, 
in  my  very  presence,  by  a  man  to  whom  he  owed 
the  most  insignificant  amount 

Maurice.  I  hope  you  don't  mean  to  com- 
pare  ? 

Cecile.  Of  course,  I  shouldn't  think  of  com- 
paring you  with  M.  Carriard !  You  are  at  least 
better  bred !  But  there  is  one  thing  I  shall  never 
forget,  and  1  shall  tell  you  what  it  is,  since  you 
ask  for  an  explanation,  and  that  is  that  you  have 
taken  advantage  of  a  situation  in  which  my  father 
was  practically  helpless,  and  behaved — as  you  have 
behaved ! 

Maurice.    I  ? 

Cecile.  I  see,  you  had  no  intention  of  marrying 
the  daughter  of  a  man  with  no  money,  your  debtor 
— a  man  of  your  position !  I  know  enough  of  life 
to  realize  that  such  marriages  don't  occur.  There 
is  one  thing  I  can't  forgive :  that  you  could  have 
thought,  because  I  knew  you  were  rich,  I  was  capable 
of ! 

Maurice.    I  swear,  Cecile 

Cecile.  Yeserday, — you  were  standing  just 
where  you  are  now — you  told  me  you  loved  me. 
Who  knows — if  we  had  been  alone,  you  might  have 
suggesed    a    rendezvous?      If    you    dared    speak 


70       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

that  way  to  me,  if  you  dared  think  that  of  me,  it 
was  because  my  father  was  under  obligations  to 
you !  You  said  to  yourself,  "  There's  a  little  girl 
who's  tired  of  the  life  she's  leading.  She  has  no 
future,  no  dowry,  no  chance  to  marry.  She'll  be 
delighted  if  I  offer — "  There  you  were  mistaken, 
Monsieur.  I  don't  believe  I  have  a  very  brilliant 
future,  but  I  can  resign  myself  to  what  I  have. 
I  do  not  know  whether  my  father  has  committed 
crimes  or  not,  and  I  don't  want  to  know ;  I  only 
know  that  he  is  good,  generous,  that  he  loves  me 
with  all  his  heart.  I  shall  never  leave  him.  When 
you  thought  I  would,  you  were  guilty  of  a  disloyal 
and  low  thought.  If  I  tell  you  all  this,  it  is  in 
order  that  there  shall  be  no  misunderstanding,  that 
in  the  future  you  will  conduct  your  business  deal- 
ings with  my  father  on  a  purely  business  footing, 
and  not  try  to  see  me  again.    Now  may  I  go  ? 

Maurice.  I  have  only  one  thing  to  say,  Mad- 
emoiselle ;  you  are  absolutely  mistaken  about  my 
intentions !     It's  quite  ridiculous 

Cecile.    Thank  you  for  the  excuses ! 

Maurice.  Let  me  make  a  clean  breast  of  the 
whole  thing!  No,  Cecile,  I  have  not  been  loyal  in 
my  relations  with  you.  I  love  you,  and  to-day  per- 
haps I  was  allowing  you  to  leave,  I  was  going  away 
myself  without  seeing  you  again!  I  must  have 
been  mad !  How  could  I  have  had  any  other 
thought  or  wish?  I'm  a  fool,  I  didn't  see  my  own 
happiness !  L  don't  deseve  your  love,  Cecile ;  I 
hardly  deserve  your  forgiveness.  But^do  forgive 
me,  Cecile !  Don't  blame  me,  don't  say  a  word  to 
me !     Give  me   your  hand — there,  that's  enough  I 

(Cecile  gives  him  her  hand,  which  he  kisses.  She 
then  looks  for  the  hooks  she  had  left  on  the 
table.    Enter  the  Commandant.) 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       71 

Commandant.  Here,  I've  been  waiting  an  hour! 
I  beg  your  pardon,  Mademoiselle. 

Cecile.     (Bozving)     Monsieur! 

Maurice.  (To  Cecile)  My  uncle  is  just  in  the 
nick  of  time.    We'll  wait  here  for  your  father. 

Cecile.  {To  Maurice)  Until  later!  (She 
goes  out) 

Commandant.  Are  we  going  to  Brittany,  or 
are  we  not?  I'm  tired,  I  tell  you.  I  even  went  to 
sleep  in  the  cab. 

Maurice.    We  are  not  going. 

Commandant.  Good!  I  didn't  get  to  bed  till 
five  this  morning,  so  I  suppose  you'll  excuse  me  if 
I  take  a  nap? 

Maurice.  Just  a  moment,  Uncle!  Sit  down. 
I've  just  seen  Cecile  here,  and 

Commandant.    Yes? 

Maurice.  We  spoke  together  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, and  I — I'm  going  to  marry  her. 

Commandant.  You're  going  to  marry  her? 
You're  of  age,  you  ought  to  know  what  you're  about. 

Maurice.    Do  you  really  disapprove  ? 

Commandant.  What  I  have  not  approved  of 
was  your  uncertainty.  Now  that  you  have  made  a 
definite  decision,  let  me  congratulate  you. 

Maurice.  She's  the  most  charming  girl  I  ever 
saw. 

Commandant.  You  should  have  told  me  at 
once !    Now  I'm  going  to  bed. 

Maurice.  I  should  have  had  to  wake  you  up 
anyway,  Uncle. 

Commandant.    Why? 

Maurice.  To  have  you  ask  for  the  lady  for 
me.    You're  my  nearest  relative. 

Commandant.  I  ask  Brignol  for  his  daughter? 
I!  Never!  (He  rises)  You'll  never  get  me  to  do 
that,  after  the  way  Brignol  has  treated  me ! 

Maurice.     (Rising)    Uncle! 


^2       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Commandant.    Don't!    Never,  I  say! 

Maurice.  Uncle,  you  were  my  guardian,  you're 
my  only  living  relative.  You  must  help  me.  (Tak- 
ing the  Commandant's  arm)  Please  do  me  the 
favor  of  waiting  for  M,  Brignol  here;  he'll  be  back 
before  long.  Then  ask  him.  I'll  give  you  a  quarter 
of  an  hour.  I've  consulted  you,  and  now  you 
must. 

Commandant,  If  Brignol  is  not  here  in  fifteen 
minutes,  I'll  go. 

Maurice.    He  will  be. 

Commandant.  By  the  way,  what  are  you  going 
to  do  with  this  father-in-law  of  yours  ? 

Maurice.  I've  been  thinking  of  that  for  the  past 
two  weeks.  I'll  let  him  live  on  my  estate  at  Poi- 
tiers. 

Commandant.    The  devil! 

Maurice.  We'll  hardly  ever  go  there,  you  or  I. 
It's  good  for  nothing.  I'll  buy  another,  with  a 
hunting-park,  for  you. 

Commandant.  Good!  Be  back  in  twenty  min- 
utes, and  I'll  have  everything  arranged.  Go  in 
the  cab,  and  take  my  valise  to  my  rooms.  That 
will  help  you  kill  time. 

(Maurice  goes  out.) 

Commandant.  Seventeen  times  in  succession! 
What  bad  luck !  That's  not  happened  at  the  club  for 
three  years  !  Phenomenal !  I  am  a  marked  man ! 
(Little  by  little  he  falls  asleep,  his  head  resting  on 
his  right  arm.  Brignol  enters,  carrying  newspa- 
pers. He  goes  to  lay  them  on  the  desk,  ayid  sees  that 
someone  is  present) 

Brignol.  A  client! — Asleep!  Why,  it's  the 
Commandant ! 

Commandant.  (Awaking)  Ah,  Brignol!  (Ris- 
ing)    Monsieur ! 


BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER       ^l 

Brignol,  Make  yourself  quite  at  home,  Com- 
mandant. To  what  do  I  owe  the  honor  of  your 
visit  ? 

Commandant.    I  have  two  words  to  say  to  you. 

Brignol.  Sit  down,  Commandant:  I  am  listen- 
ing. 

Commandant.  {After  a  pause)  You  have 
played  me  a  nice  trick! 

Brignol.    Is  it  my  fault  if  you  lost? 

Commandant.  That  isn't  what  I  refer  to:  I 
was  going  away  to  Brittany  with  my  nephew  at 
five  o'clodc.    We  were  all  ready. 

Brignol.    Are  you  going ? 

Commandant.  Instead  of  going  to  Brittany,  we 
came  here.  Do  you  know  what  I  must  do  ?  (A  ges- 
ture from  Brignol)  I  have  come  to  ask  you  for 
your  daughter's  hand — for  him ! 

Brignol.  (Going  with  outstretched  hands  to 
the  Commandant)  My  dear  Commandant,  I  have 
the  greatest  esteem  for  you,  and  I  am  profoundly 
glad  of  this  union  with  your  family.  It  has  been 
my  dream — I  confess  it! 

(Enter  Maurice.) 

Brignol.  (To  Maurice)  Come  here,  my  dear 
son!  (With  outstretched  hands)  You're  a  splen- 
did boy ! 

Maurice.    My  dear  M.  Brignol 

Brignol.  I'll  bring  you  your  wife!  (He  goes 
out) 

Commaneiant.  You  know,  I'm  beginning  to  like 
that  Brignol. 

Maurice.  The  day  he  sees  the  last  of  his  credi- 
tors, he  will  be  a  perfect  father-in-law ! 

(Enter  Mme.  Brignol  and  Cecile,  followed  by 
Mme.  Valpierre  and  Brignol.) 


74       BRIGNOL  AND  HIS  DAUGHTER 

Mme,  Brignol.  {To  Maurice)  Monsieur,  it 
is  with  the  profoundest  joy  that  I  give  you  my 
daughter. 

Brignol.  {Aside  to  Mme.  Valpeirre)  You 
see  ?  There !  Everything  always  comes  out  beauti- 
fully! 

Curtain 


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